CAUSES OF DARK KNUCKLES

There are several reasons of dark skin on your knuckles. Your darker knuckle pigmentation might be inherited. It might also be a side effect of a medication you’re taking, such as an oral contraceptive, a powerful corticosteroid, or niacin.

Darker skin on your knuckles may also indicate an underlying ailment that requires treatment, such as diabetes.

We’ll look at some of the probable reasons of dark knuckles, as well as several treatments, including home cures, in this article.

Dark knuckles can be a sign of a number of medical issues. It can also be induced by a vitamin deficit or by taking certain medications. Let’s look more closely at some of the most prevalent causes.

ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin disorder characterized by darkening and thickness in one or more parts of the body, including the knuckles. The darker skin may have a velvety feel to it. It may also be irritating or odorous

AN is a rather prevalent condition. AN was identified in 19.6 percent of study participants across all age groups in a 2010 studyTrusted Source. The disease was more widespread in Native American, African American, and Hispanic groups, according to one study.

VITAMIN B-12 DEFICIENCY

Dark knuckles, according to a 2016 studyTrusted Source, can be a crucial signal for vitamin B-12 insufficiency. It may be the only indicator of this deficit in some cases. Other signs of vitamin B-12 insufficiency are:

According to a 2017 case study, around 10% of persons with vitamin B-12 insufficiency exhibit darker knuckles

When B-12 insufficiency is corrected, the skin on the knuckles should return to normal.

SCLERODERMA

Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, is a rare autoimmune illness that causes excessive collagen formation. As a result, the skin and connective tissues harden and tighten. Scleroderma comes in different forms, some of which can be debilitating.

Reddening of the skin, particularly your hands and knuckles, is one of the signs of scleroderma.

This illness is also connected to Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a common early sign of scleroderma. Raynaud’s disease causes the blood vessels in your fingers and toes to constrict, turning blue and painful. This is frequently in response to chilly weather or stress.

SKIN LIGHTENING PRODUCTS

Many skin lightening creams contain salicylic acid-derived hydroquinone or lipohydroxy acid. These acids bleach the skin by reducing the amount of melanocytes, which create melanin, which contributes to the skin’s brown hue. These substances are synthetic and are commonly used to treat skin conditions such as melasma, acne scars, eczema, and dark spots.

When these acids are used for purposes other than skin care, the skin responds, particularly in areas of the skin with hyperpigmentation. Because the knuckles are one of the body areas with hyperpigmentation, bleaching treatments have a difficult time penetrating and lightening them.