There are lots of things your skin says about your health. Doctors and dermatologists can use that to help diagnose or treat health conditions. That’s good news for you because you can let your skin be the guide as to whether or not a problem exists. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it pays to take very good care of it. Check out these things your skin says about your health. If you notice any potential issues, be sure to get them checked out right away.
Your skin relies on a healthy and well-balanced diet to stay fresh and radiant looking. If you eat a poor diet, it’s likely to show up in the form of dry, damaged skin. You need protein and vitamins A and C to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. That means eating plenty of lean meats, beans, eggs, fruits and vegetables to ensure that you’re getting adequate amounts. I say this is one of the most important things your skin says about your health.
Speaking of nutrient deficiencies, if you have a health condition that results in malabsorption of nutrients, it can make its presence known on your skin. For example, people with untreated celiac disease often suffer from specific types of eczema and might also have psoriasis, inflammation and pale patches of skin. If you suspect a malabsorption issue, it’s important to see a doctor right away.
Often an allergic reaction involves the development of a rash or hives. Maybe you’re allergic to a specific type of food or you have atopic allergies that pop up when you contact certain things. Take pictures of your reaction, then see a doctor to help determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
In many people, a specific type of facial rash is the first symptom of lupus, an autoimmune disease that can have devastating effects. The rash resembles a butterfly and requires further testing to diagnose lupus. In some cases, it might be rosacea or contact dermatitis, but it’s best to have it checked out to be sure.
If you notice brown/gray patches of skin, it’s a good indicator that you might have diabetes. The patches, which are called acanthosis nigricans often occur in the folds of the skin. When you have diabetes, it affects your insulin production, which can change the appearance of your skin.
Chances are if you get itchy, purple bumps on your wrists or ankles, the last thing you’re thinking is that you might have hepatitis. After all, you’re probably more interested in getting the itching to stop. In some cases, those bumps indicate hepatitis and should be checked out right away. Your doctor will test your liver to make a firm diagnosis.
Itching all the time isn’t normal and in some cases could indicate Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. That’s pretty scary so if you feel like you can’t stop itching, I’d say it’s time to see your doctor. This itching happens because when you have such a disease, you have a bunch of abnormal cells running rampant through your body. They can cause all sorts of issues and itching is just one of them.
Have you ever noticed any of these symptoms? I hope you got them checked out right away. Do you have any other ones to add to the list?