The body's biggest organ, skin, at two millimeters thick and six pounds, protects the body from light, heat, sickness, and harm. Skin also regulates body temperature by collecting environmental signals. It also hydrates and nourishes the body.
One of the body's most important organs is the skin (meaning it is necessary to sustain life). Everyone's skin shows their age, health, and overall well-being. Plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon says a careful look at your skin may help a doctor diagnose many problems and illnesses.
Velvety Thickening In The Armpits & Neck Could Be This
Acanthosis nigricans develop velvety, light-brown, or black marks on the neck, armpits, and groin. Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse suggests type 2 diabetes. Insulin, which metabolizes glucose for cells and tissues, is improperly processed in type 2 diabetes. Insulin enters skin cells, darkening and thickening areas. The body reacts by pumping more insulin into the blood to capture glucose.
According to dermatologist Ricardo Castrellon, acanthosis nigricans is one of 10–15 cutaneous problems of diabetes. If you observe these skin changes, see your doctor since it may sometimes indicate inside cancer, and type 2 diabetes is serious. Medications such as systemic glucocorticoids and birth control pills may induce acanthosis nigricans.
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Chin & Jawline Acne Could Point To PCOS
PCOS is frequent among childbearing women. A hormonal imbalance causes high androgen levels compared to estrogen. The imbalance may cause many benign ovarian cysts, irregular periods, and infertility. PCOS causes high androgen levels, which might affect a woman's look. Weight increase, thinning hair, male-pattern facial hair, and chin and jawline acne may occur.
Up to 10 percent of reproductive women have PCOS, although most don't know until they have trouble becoming pregnant. See a doctor if you have irregular periods, chin and jawline acne, and facial hair development. Hormones and nutrition may reverse PCOS in many people.
These Bumps May Be A Sign Of Gluten Sensitivity
Dermatitis herpetiformis, also known as Duhring's disease, is a persistent skin ailment that causes highly irritating bumps and tiny blisters on the elbows, knees, scalp, and buttocks. Dermatologist Hadley King says most DH cases include gluten intolerance.
Gluten sensitivity may not be celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that affects the small intestine. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, 20 percent of people with DH will test negative for celiac disease while having many of the same symptoms.
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DH is sometimes confused with eczema. Herpes-like lumps and blisters give the illness its name. Despite the name, herpes is not involved. DH is not caused by the herpes virus, and herpes lesions do not cluster as DH. Doctors can only diagnose DH, and a gluten-free diet usually cures symptoms.
Dry Skin & Loss Of Eyebrows Could Be A Thyroid Condition
Skin changes may indicate a thyroid issue, but a specialist must diagnose it. Dermatologist Joshua Ziechner says dry skin might suggest inadequate thyroid function. Poor thyroid function impacts skin cell function, including protection from the environment and hydration.
"Thyroid hormones enhance metabolism and energy, so low levels may affect how we feel and look," Dr. Shainhouse says. Madarosis, or eyebrow loss/thinning, might indicate an underactive thyroid, like dry skin. Madarosis may be accompanied by cold sensitivity, weight gain, weariness, depression, and scalp hair loss or thinning. Overplucking doesn't cause eyebrow loss or thinning. However, prescription thyroid hormone replacement may treat it.
Easy Bruising Could Signify A Blood Disorder
After an injury, bruising and bleeding are typical. Dermatologist Joshua Ziechner says bleeding or bruising without a clear cause may suggest a blood issue. Hemophiliacs may bleed profusely after minor injuries. Platelet problems cause excessive bleeding and bruising. Certain blood malignancies cause severe bruising and poor wound healing.
Platelet problems, hemophilia, and blood malignancies are uncommon. Frequent, unexplained nosebleeds, excessive or protracted periods, excessive bleeding during brushing or flossing, and red or purple spots or patches on the skin may also indicate a blood issue. Vitamin C and K deficits may also cause excessive bleeding and bruising.
Yellow Bumps On Eyelids Could Mean High Cholesterol
Your cholesterol level is surprisingly visible on your skin. Dermatologist Rhonda Klein says that xanthomas—thick, yellow/orange bumps—can indicate high cholesterol. Xanthelasmas are eyelid pimples. Dr. Klein says these are under-skin cholesterol deposits.
Xanthomas might be a little or three inches. These lumps are commonly caused by excessive cholesterol, but other health issues may be just as dangerous. Hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, diabetes, and some malignancies are examples. Beth Israel Lahey says they "may go away on their own" after treating the underlying issue. To find out what's causing these pimples, see your doctor.
Butterfly Rash On The Face Could Signify Lupus
Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse tells Health Digest that lupus, an inflammatory condition, may cause a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. It resembles a half-mask. Malar rash describes it clinically. Cellulitis, an infection of the skin and subcutaneous fat, may cause the malar rash. Lupus is the most common cause. Rosacea is a milder illness linked to malar rash. Rosacea causes facial redness and blood vessels.
Lupus inflames the skin, muscles, joints, kidneys, lungs, and heart. Sun sensitivity, joint discomfort, and neurological or psychological abnormalities often accompany it. The butterfly-shaped rash can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
New Changes In Breast Skin Could Be Rare Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, only one through five percent of breast cancer cases are inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Though uncommon, the organization says that it "tends to occur in younger women (less than 40 years of age)" and that "African-American women seem to acquire IBC more commonly than white women."
Inflammatory breast cancer seldom creates a lump. Dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse tells Health Digest that inflammatory breast cancer usually causes breast edema, purple or red skin, and a thickened/puckered orange peel-like texture. This symptom is called "peau d'orange" by certain physicians. A newly inverted nipple, nipple discharge, or a persistent lump may also be symptoms. If you have any of Dr. Shainhouse's symptoms, see your doctor.
Yellowing Skin Can Mean Liver Disease
"Changes in our skin are markers of our overall health and signals of an underlying illness," plastic surgeon Andrew Ordon tells Health Digest. Some are severe, but most are not. Skin yellowing is a significant medical condition. This is called "jaundice" and appears on the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
Dr. Ordon says liver diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer, are commonly the cause. Jaundice may be a sign of gallstones or pancreatic and gallbladder cancer. Bilirubin, a yellow-orange liver pigment, causes jaundice. Penicillin may cause jaundice.
Freckles & Sun Spots Can Reveal Sun Damage
Freckles are cute, but they might show sun damage. Dermatologist Ricardo Castrellon tells Health Digest that freckles and black patches indicate lifetime UV damage. Sun damage throughout infancy and adolescence might affect later life. Sun exposure merely raises your lifelong skin cancer risk.
Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, may spread to other organs. Some skin tumors are disfiguring but not life-threatening. Dr. Castellon advises us to inspect our skin often to identify changes. However, your dermatologist may remove altered skin to biopsy and avoid malignancy.
Swollen, Painful Sores On Your Feet & Hands
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, COVID-19 symptoms include a dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, and skin changes. "Coronavirus skin infections are rare. For some, this is the only coronavirus symptom," the academy discloses.
COVID-19 causes swelling and discolored toes. "COVID toes" are swelling, painful lesions that mimic frostbite around the toenails, according to dermatologist Rhonda Klein. Some individuals have shown symptoms on their hands, fingers, and fingernails. How should you treat "COVID toes"? Testing and quarantine are necessary since the virus poses a public health threat.
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An Itch That Won't Go Away Could Be An Underlying Blood Disorder
In a comprehensive study of nearly 300 persons with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a skin cancer that starts in white blood cells, 88 percent reported unpleasant itching. "Pruritus" is chronic itching. Psoriasis and eczema cause pruritus. "However, when a primary skin problem cannot be recognized as the source of pruritus, then a systemic explanation must be explored," Medscape states.
Dermatologist Jennifer Gordon told Health Digest that not all pruritus causes are life-threatening. CTCL and rare polycythemia vera are. Kidney or organ failure may produce widespread itching. Notalgia parasthetica, nerve inflammation, may produce a back itch in the center. If itching lasts more than two weeks, is strong enough to be distracting, or is accompanied by exhaustion or fever, the Mayo Clinic suggests seeing a doctor. After three months, the clinic recommends consulting a dermatologist.
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Brown Spots On Fingers Or Toes Can Reveal A Heart Infection
Doctor Leann Poston tells Health Digest that reddish stains on your fingers or toes, particularly if you're sick, may indicate endocarditis, an infection of the heart valve and endocardium. Endocarditis occurs when bloodborne bacteria or fungus settle in the heart. It's unusual in people with healthy hearts and no risk factors. It's more prevalent in patients with prosthetic heart valves or endocarditis.
Dr. Poston's "Janeway lesions" are painless but might indicate more severe endocarditis. Septic emboli—bacteria in the blood vessels—may occur.
Rapid Development Of Stretch Marks Could Reveal Cushing's Syndrome
Cortisol excess causes Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's is uncommon and mainly caused by a benign pituitary gland tumor or long-term steroid usage. Steroids include synthetic cortisol, the "stress hormone," which helps the body respond to stress by reminding us to consume energy-dense meals.
Dermatologist Sharleen St. Surin-Lord tells Health Digest that Cushing's condition may rapidly produce several pink and/or purple stretch marks on the arms, belly, and shoulders that can't be explained by pregnancy or a growth spurt.
Cushing's also causes thinning, delicate skin, sluggish wound healing, and acne. "Your skin is communicating to you," Dr. St. Surin-Lord tells Health Digest. "If it's saying something's wrong, listen."
