dark inner thighs

a lady of 27 yrs is having dark inner thighs since the age of puberty..her neck also was dark but that was to some degree got corrected with regular application of retinoic acid.her buttocks are also dark..she is of moderately built..in fact she is lean,but her thighs are thicker.she used to masturbate by firmly rubbing her thighs to each other..her periods are not regular..how should i treat her..?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, confirmation of a diagnosis is tough, but it can be due to hyperpigmentation of the skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.

Treatment involves hydroquinone, azelaic acid, corticosteroids, tretinoin cream and laser treatment. Please discuss these options with your dermatologist before using them. Also then get the possibility of acanthosis nigricans ruled out.
I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.