The list of serious health problems linked to obesity is long, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep problems and asthma. And there is another: skin problems.
“Clinically diagnosed obesity can trigger changes in the skin,” explains Connie Diekman, Med, RD, food consultant and nutrition based in St. Louis, former president of the American Dietetic Association and former director of university nutrition at the University of Washington in St. Louis.
“Some of these changes are due to additional skin which can often create folds, allowing humidity to accumulate and bacteria to prosper,” she said. “This is often found on the body trunk, because Little Air arrives at these folds. But it can happen wherever the skin lights up on itself, creating a humidity environment and, if not covered, bacterial growth.”
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Stretch marks
A skin problem related to obesity is stretch marks. According to the US National Library of Medicine (NLM), stretch marks – striae, in medical terminology – can occur when the skin is quickly stretched.
“Not everyone gets them, and the exact mechanism to explain why they occur is not clear,” explains Diekman. “But stretch marks are the result of body fat pushing the muscles, creating the appearance in the shape of a fold.” And they are actually common, she adds: “When the areas of the body gain weight quickly.”
The appearance of stretch marks can vary, note NLM. Some take the form of irregular stripes, scratches or lines, while others have the appearance of parallel bands of fine red skin which, over time, can take a white appearance, a bit like a scar.
The Mayo clinic stresses that stretch marks often develop around the stomach, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs. Although they are not particularly painful, once they seem, it is unlikely that they disappear completely, which means that over time, the problem can trigger psychological distress among those who are disturbed by the impact on their appearance.
Skin discoloration
Another possible skin problem linked to obesity is a condition called acanthosis nigricans (year). The Mayo clinic explains that this skin problem is defined by a dark velvet type discoloration which develops slowly in the folds and the folds of fat. Discoloration is often found in the armpits, groin and neck. And the affected skin can become thick, itching and fragrant over time.
Although there is no specific treatment for the year, the American Academy of Dermatology says that dermatologists can prescribe topics or laser therapy in terms of symptoms.
Regarding the risk linked to obesity, the Mayo clinic notes that the heavier the people, the more likely they are to develop the condition. At the same time, “brown or dark spots on the skin probably come from the development of insulin resistance that occurs as a result of increased body fat”, explains Diekman. On this front, the Mayo clinic explains that insulin resistance is a precursor of type 2 diabetes, for which obesity is a risk factor.
Risk of skin infection
Among the skin infections linked to obesity, cellulite is a very common concern, indicates the Mayo clinic. The culprit is generally bacteria streptococcus or staphylococcus, and the affected areas are generally swollen, red, painful, tender and hot.
The infection can take a residence wherever a crack in the skin allows bacteria to enter, notes Mayo Clinic. It is often through the lower legs, but it can also spread on the face or arms. And if it is not treated, it can be fatal because the infection has the potential to enter the blood circulation and to spread to the lymph nodes.
Beyond cellulite, a study published in November 2019 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Indicates that obesity increases the risk of skin inflammatory diseases, rosaceae, psoriasis and candida in candidates (yeast).
According to NLM, candida (skin candidiasis) is a yeast and relatively common infection. But as it is likely to settle in hot, humid and crumpled areas, people with obesity are particularly subject.
As for psoriasis, the Mayo clinic explains that the condition is a chronic disease and, like rosacea, has no known remedy (although there are a number of options to mitigate symptoms).
Psoriasis implies the acceleration of the life cycle of skin cells and is characterized by patches of red, scaly, dry, itching, burning and / or painful. Pusuals of psoriasis can come and go, with long ruptures between the fights. Obesity increases the risk of developing the disease, alongside stress, family history, history of smoking and a compromised immune system, note Mayo.
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