Your Skin Reflects Your Health

The signs of many illnesses first develop on the skin, hair, or nails, including skin cancer, lupus, and diabetes.

any times, we’re so focused on our inner aches, pains, and symptoms, we might overlook changes that occur on the outside. The signs of many illnesses first develop on the skin, hair, or nails. So, take note of any changes on the outside that might help with a diagnosis of some internal imbalance.

Skin Color Changes

A change in skin color usually happens because there is some type of change in the body. For example, a person may look yellow because of liver problems, blue because of breathing problems, bruised because of blood disorders, or red because of skin problems. Changes in the skin can be caused by sun exposure, tumor growth, or side effects of chemo or radiation therapy. Some color changes may improve over time, while others may be permanent.

	Early detection and treatment of skin cancer carries a very high cure rate.

Diabetes

This increasingly common, but dangerous, disease can be managed, but if left undetected, diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, and even death. Typical symptoms are extreme thirst, frequent urination, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. You may be able to detect diabetes early by identifying several rashes on your skin. Diabetic dermopathy are red and itchy patches that can appear on your shins. Black velvety patches, called acanthosis nigricans, can appear on the side and back of your neck. If you have either of these, an immediate diabetes screening is critical.

Lupus

This difficult condition causes the immune system to attack a body’s organs and tissues. African American and Native American women are highly susceptible to lupus for unknown reasons. Signs of the disease that develop on your skin include a butterfly-shaped rash across your face, pale or purple fingers and toes, sun sensitivity, and hair loss. One form of the disease called discoid lupus, primarily affects the skin. Red, dark, or white patches (depressed into the skin) can form on the face, scalp, or ears. Lupus is difficult to diagnose and treat, so seek a healthcare provider with experience working with lupus patients.

Skin Cancer

Moles or other growths that suddenly change in color, size, texture, or shape, and growths that ooze, bleed, or cause itching or pain are signs that may indicate skin cancer. The three common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas can be locally destructive, but these forms of skin cancer rarely spread. They carry a 95 percent cure rate if caught and treated early.

Melanoma is the least common, but most aggressive type of skin cancer. If it goes undiagnosed, it can spread to other organs and be fatal. Remember, early detection and treatment of skin cancer carries a very high cure rate. Talk to your doctor about any unusual skin conditions.

Alopecia Areata

This auto-immune disease can occur during childhood or any age. Alopecia areata is characterized by a patchy hair loss that usually grows back on its own. Medications may help to re-grow hair in this condition. Thyroid disorders, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, may be associated with this pattern of hair loss. Proper treatment of thyroid disease can reverse the hair loss. Medications can also cause hair loss.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies manifest themselves in many ways, among them is dry skin, dull hair, grayish skin tone, and brittle or weak nails. Today, many doctors routinely check your blood for some vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially iron and Vitamin B12. There are blood and urine tests for most vitamins and minerals, but some are complicated, inconvenient, and/or costly. Generally there's no real reason to test unless you have a medical problem that affects how your body absorbs nutrients. Many practitioners believe your blood antioxidant level is a better test of your vitamin and mineral levels and overall health. You need vitamins and minerals to make antioxidant enzymes. If you're low on the enzymes, you're also low on their building blocks. If you're interested in antioxidant testing, discuss it with your doctor or nutritionist.

Having healthy skin, hair, and nails helps us express ourselves beautifully on the outside, and can also help monitor the wonders of our inner selves.