Excess body weight places a great strain on nearly all domains of the bodys functions. As the trend of obesity remains unchecked, clinicians will continue to see issues associated with obesity often the result of superficial physiologic reactions to the presence of excess fatty tissue as well as underlying pathophysiologic changes associated with increased adipose fat.1-3

Obesity has many cutaneous manifestations, including striae, intertrigo, plantar hyperkeratosis, lymphedema, acanthosis nigricans, and a greater risk for skin infections and melanoma.1,3 It also contributes to inflammatory dermatologic conditions such as psoriasis and poor wound healing.1

General skin features of people with obesity (defined as a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher) are often altered1,3 due to multiple obesity-related factors. A 2017 study3 of American women found that skin barrier and moisturizing functions were significantly impaired by obesity, resulting in considerable dryness and roughness, compared with nonobese women. Skin coloration changes such as facial redness believed to be due to dilation of the local blood vessels in response to inflammation were noted, as was reduced yellow coloration. Conversely, scaliness and roughness were products of systemic inflammation combined with insulin resistance, demonstrated by altered levels of interleukin (IL)-6, leptin, adipokines, and insulin.

Other localized skin manifestations linked to obesity include the following:

The chronic inflammatory skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa is often aggravated by the number and depth of skin folds, which increase with greater weight gain.2,5 This condition generally occurs in the armpit and groin and in skin folds, areas on the body given to friction (skin-to-skin and skin-to-clothing contact) as an individual moves. Hidradenitis suppurativa often begins with follicular plugging, which triggers inflammation and abscess formation.5 Further development into sinus tracts often promotes secondary infection of the area.

Patients with obesity are at higher risk for skin infections such as folliculitis, candidiasis, furunculosis, erythrasma, and tinea cruris as a result of obesity and comorbid conditions such as diabetes and impaired circulation.1,2 These infections most often occur in and around skin folds of the lower genital region and around the breasts, where increased moisture, body heat, and sweating contribute to the colonization of yeast and other bacteria.1,2

Other, more serious conditions may also develop, including the following:

Obesity is associated with a worsened prognosis of psoriasis and is considered an independent risk factor for the development of this chronic inflammatory skin disorder through the production of macrophages from adipose fat.1,6,7 Because visceral adipose fat is increased with obesity, the production of proinflammatory cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-18, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and adipokines (such as chemerin, visfatin, leptin, and adiponectin) also increases, stimulating autonomic inflammatory responses.6,7 Reduction of body weight has shown a direct correlation to reduced severity of psoriasis symptoms.1,6,7 Obesity also interferes with the pharmacodynamics of drugs used to treat psoriasis and can increase the risks for adverse events.7

All specialists will continue to see a rise in obesity-related complications, and dermatologists will be called on to treat a wide-ranging conditions related to weight issues. Many of the autonomic characteristics of skin are altered and, in some cases, impaired by obesity. Weight management may soon come under the dermatologists purview as a component of intervention for cutaneous manifestations of obesity, in addition to other treatments.1,2

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References

1. Shipman AR, Millington GWM. Obesity and the skin.Br J Dermatol. 2011;165:743-750.

2. Scheinfeld NS. Obesity and dermatology. Clin Dermatol. 2004;22:303-309.

3. Mori S, Shiraishi A, Epplen K, et al. Characterization of skin function associated with obesity and specific correlation to local/systemic parameters in American women. Lipids Health Dis. 2017;16(1):214.

4. Hahler B. An overview of dermatological conditions commonly associated with the obese patient. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2006;52(6):34-47.

5. Lee EY, Alhusayen R, Lansang P, et al. What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Can Fam Physician. 2017;63:114-120.

6. Chiricozzi A, Raimondo A, Lembo S, et al. Crosstalk between skin inflammation and adipose tissue-derived products: pathogenic evidence linking psoriasis to increased adiposity [abstract].Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2016;12:1299-1308.

7. Owczarczyk-Saczonek A, Placek W. Compounds of psoriasis with obesity and overweight [abstract].Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2017;71:761-772.

This article originally appeared on Dermatology Advisor

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