Obesity and the Skin: Skin Physiology and Skin Manifestations of Obesity

May 2007 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Gil Yosipovitch, Amy DeVore, Aerlyn G. Dawn

TLDR Obesity affects skin health, causing conditions like acanthosis nigricans and may require different treatment approaches.

The 2007 document outlines the significant impact of obesity on skin physiology and the manifestation of various skin conditions. Obesity alters skin functions such as barrier function, gland activity, lymphatic flow, and wound healing, and is associated with dermatoses like acanthosis nigricans, striae distensae, and hidradenitis suppurativa. The paper reports that 74% of an obese population showed signs of acanthosis nigricans, which is often linked to insulin resistance. Conditions like stasis dermatitis and venous ulcerations, prevalent in obese individuals, can be treated with methods like compression and leg elevation. Obesity also increases the risk of skin infections and chronic conditions like psoriasis, which may be alleviated by weight loss and specific medications. The document stresses the need for dermatologists to consider obesity when treating skin conditions, as it affects medication dosing and efficacy, and to collaborate with primary care physicians to address the broader health implications of obesity.

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