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What is My Skin Trying to Tell Me?

April 29, 2019
By: Dermatology Consultants of Frisco

Covering an area of 2 square meters, or about 22 square feet, your skin is the largest organ in your body and plays a crucial role in protecting yourself as well as aiding you in perceiving the world.

However, the skin is more than just a cocoon that protects your bones, muscles, and internal organs, it also changes due to your health. It can communicate if you are sick, not feeling well, or if something is wrong. Here is how to pay attention to the signs, and decipher what your body is trying to communicate to you.

What is Your Skin Trying to Tell You

It's telling you that your stress is out of control. If you have relatively stable skin, then suddenly notice a random patch of acne or a breakout in an area of your body that usually doesn't get any sort of breakouts, then that can be a sign that you are stressing yourself out. When you are constantly stressed, your body releases a steroid hormone named cortisol. This cortisol may be an evolutionary response to stress or danger, but it does not do your skin any favors, typically manifesting as an acne breakout. To manage your stress, incorporate some stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or painting. Find your stress reliever and stick to it whenever you find yourself overwhelmed.

Possibility of anemia. Internal issues can affect your skin's pigmentation. Vitiligo, for example, can manifest and be aggressive if you are diabetic, have pernicious anemia, or are suffering from thyroid disease.

Hormones are out of whack. If you notice new lesions across your jawline and chin, then this could be a signal of a hormone imbalance. This sort of acne is particularly common in adult women - even if they had relatively clear skin in their teenage years.

Unusual hair growths can be a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome. If you are a woman and suddenly are experiencing hair growths in areas that are classically male, like the chin, neck, or right below your belly button, then there might be an issue with your ovaries. Genetics and hormones can also play a part in strange growth patterns Consult a doctor to rule out the onset of PCOS.

Unhealthy lifestyle factors. While dark circles around the areas are largely genetic, there can be more insidious causes. As you age, the fat pads around the areas change and can cause hollows around the eye area. Dark skin in this area can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies or a lack of hydration. Eating healthier and ensuring that you get enough sleep can help alleviate dark circles in some cases.