Dark Underarms, Elbows, and Knees

Darkening of areas like the underarms, elbows, and knees is usually a sign of underlying metabolic or hormonal imbalances, chronic friction, or past inflammation. While often dismissed as cosmetic, this skin discoloration may be your body’s way of signaling an internal imbalance—especially involving blood sugar, detoxification, or immune function.

• Location of Symptom

  These patches typically show up on:

  Underarms

  Inner thighs

  Elbows

  Knees

  Back of the neck

  Although they appear on the surface, their root may stem from much deeper systems (e.g., endocrine, liver, digestive).

• Physiological Breakdown

  Think of your skin as a chalkboard. When the liver, pancreas, or endocrine system is overwhelmed, they can leave behind "chalky smudges" (discoloration) in places where friction or sweat is frequent. These marks may build up slowly over time due to chronic inflammation, insulin surges, or detox burden. With blood sugar imbalances, insulin can stimulate pigment-producing cells, causing areas to darken. This usually happens gradually—over months or even years—before becoming noticeable.

• Common Signs

  Dark or velvety patches in skin folds

  Skin feels thicker or rougher in these areas

  Accompanying signs of insulin resistance (frequent thirst, fatigue after eating)

  Family history of metabolic or hormonal imbalance

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  Endocrine: Insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid imbalance

  Liver: Detox pathway congestion, especially with high toxin burden or processed foods

  Immune: Chronic low-grade inflammation from food sensitivities

  Digestive: Poor fat metabolism, gut dysbiosis leading to toxin recirculation

  Skin barrier: Friction, shaving, use of harsh deodorants or creams

  Medications: Long-term steroid use, hormonal contraceptives

  Body Type: More common in anabolic or thermic constitutions due to increased insulin output or fluid retention

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Heat/Excitation: Overstimulation from inflammation or friction

  Dry/Atrophy: Poor lymphatic flow or nourishment to skin tissue

• Organ Systems Affected

  Endocrine system (pancreas, thyroid)

  Liver

  Integumentary (skin)

  Digestive system

  Lymphatic system

How is your blood sugar throughout the day? Any family history of diabetes or thyroid conditions? Do you shave or apply deodorant to irritated skin? Is your digestion sluggish or overly reactive? Do you notice the skin feels thicker in those areas? If your skin is trying to tell you something, don’t just cover it up—listen. Reach out for support if you're noticing persistent dark patches. These signs may be early whispers of deeper imbalances that can often be supported with dietary, metabolic, and herbal strategies.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance.