The following are the physical warning signs that trouble may be lurking beneath the skin’s surface:
Moles
Sometimes a mole is just a harmless growth. Other moles signal the presence of skin cancer. Which ones mean trouble? Look for growth that are asymmetrical, have an irregular border, vary in colour, have a diameter larger than 6 millimeters, or are changing or evolving. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, may show one or more of these traits. People should tell their doctor if they notice any changes on their skin, advises the national cancer institute.
Facial flush
You might look red in the face but it is nothing to be embarrassed about. Facial redness with skin sores resembling acne are common symptoms of rosacea, a chronic skin condition. Although the exact cause is unknown, people with rosacea appear flushed and red in the face as a result of blood-vessel enlargement. Over time, pimples and bumps may form and the nose may grow curved.
Dark skin patches
A ring of dark skin at the back of the neck may look like it is crying out for a good scrubbing. But in reality, it may be acanthosis nigricans, a condition in which the skin appears thicker and darker- even velvety-along body creases. People with insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes or in rare instances, cancer, can develop these dark patches. Although, not a definitive sign of paralysis, it makes you think twice and do more work up as reported by Heather Jones, a nurse practitioner at Oregon Health and Science University located in Portland and also a member of the Dermatology Nurses Association board of directors.
Large hands and feet
If a dear one developed a distending jaw, a conspicuous forehead and out-of-proportion hands and feet, you will not be happy. All are typical signs of acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that occurs in adults when the pituitary gland makes excess growth hormone. Although would you notice the person’s change in appearance? Because it is such a rare disease and since changes in bone and soft tissue happens gradually over time, it does not dawn on people and often goes unidentified as reported by Andrea Utz, MD, PhD, the director of Vanderbilt pituitary center at Vanderbilt university medical center located in Nashville.
Hair loss
What would you make of that globe of hair at the bottom of the shower? Medications, pregnancy, disease, stress, and changes in hormones can contribute to hair loss. Among women in particular, dry, thinning hair may be a sign of overactive or underactive thyroid. A simple blood test can check whether the body is making normal amounts of thyroid hormone.
Pitted nails
If you avoid the manicurist because your nails are a mess, maybe you need to see a physician. Nails which are deformed or discolored (yellow-brown), or nails that thicken or separate from the nail bed can suggest many health disorders. Nail changes are common in people with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, psoriatic arthritis which is a related joint condition; and alopecia areata, a type of patchy hair loss. Pitting was given account of in patients with Reiter’s syndrome, a type of arthritis, and incontinentia pigmenti, a genetic skin condition.
A foul mouth
Bad teeth and gums are not just signs of poor oral hygiene. Your mouth could be saying nasty things about your bones and heart. In 2010, Scottish researchers reporting in the british medical journal found that tooth brushing reduces the risk of heart disease. Matched with twice-a-day brushers, people who brushed less frequently had a 70% greater likelihood of heart disease or death from heart disease. Tooth loss can also signal osteoporosis. Missing teeth which may denote jawbone density can no support a mouthful of pearly whites any more.
Butterfly rash
A rash is like a red flag. It is the body’s means of saying that something is wrong. There are all kinds of rashes but one in particular stands out. It extends across both cheeks in the form of a butterfly and has a sunburn-like appearance. This rash is a typical symptom of lupus which is an immune system disease that affects the skin, joints, kidneys and blood.
Broken lips
Lips can say a lot about human health status. Severely cracked, dry lips may be a reaction to medication, an occupational hazard (if you are a brass musician), or a symptom of allergy, infection or other conditions. Cracking at the mouth corners may be a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune system disorder. Sjogren’s causes dry eyes and dry mouth including joint pain and dry skin. As many as 4 million Americans, mostly women have this condition.
Dry skin
Everybody experiences dry skin from time to time. Usually, it is a minor nuisance caused by wintry air or overly hot showers but in some instances parched, brittle skin is a sign of dehydration or serious health problems. Hypothyroidism and diabetes can drain moisture from the skin, for example, as can nutrient deficiencies associated with a poor diet or eating conditions. Atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of arteries that result in heart disease, can also affect skin, especially on the shins feet and legs. If the tiny arteries that carry blood to the extremities become obstructed, they can deprive the skin of oxygen, producing dry, shiny patches.
Swollen feet
Shoes too snug? Many conditions such as strains, injuries, sprains and infections can cause feet and ankles to balloon. Obesity, pregnancy and certain medications may cause fluid retention in the lower extremities, so can certain diseases. If you are one who suffers from heart failure, you may be retaining fluid because of your heart’s poor pumping action. Inflammation or swelling in the legs, ankles and feet is a typical symptom of this condition.
Wrinkles
Although wrinkles are unavoidable, they may be a sign of osteoporosis. Is your furrowed brow and grooved mouth ratting out your bones? Amazing new research shows an association between wrinkles and bone health in early-menopausal women.
The worse the wrinkling, the higher the likelihood of lower bone density. Most wrinkles are the result of aging but excessive exposure to the sun or cigarette smoke can hurry the process.
Body hair
Hair where you do not want it is embarrassing for sure although it can be a sign of more health problems. Polycystic ovary syndrome, a common cause of increased hair growth in women at the age of childbearing, can cause infertility and infrequent, irregular or absent periods. More than 70% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have hirsutism, or excess hair growth, typically appearing on the face, chest, stomach, back, hands or feet.
Tired eyes
Bags and dark circles under the eyes are typically a telltale sign of many late nights. But if you are getting plenty of shut-eye and still cannot shake the basset-hound look, you may want to take a look at the diet. Eye bags and puffiness are caused by fluid increase in the thin, loose skin which sits under the bottom eyelid. Factors like allergies can cause fluid to accumulate there although one of the major culprits is eating excess salt. High-sodium foods promote water retention all over the body and the sensitive part, under-eye area is no exception.