There’s a lot that goes on inside the body that you don’t know about. It could take a doctor’s diagnosis for you to realise that the skin conditions you thought were normal, were signs of something more serious.

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it often windows whatever goes right or wrong inside you. So, do not ignore the signs your skin gives you. This would lead to a more severe condition because a major ailment begins small and gradually progresses.

With the vast list of skin conditions there are, it would be near impossible to mention them all. But here are some distinctive skin conditions you may experience that are early signs of something more serious. It’s better to prevent, rather than cure something you could control. If you notice any of these signs, please visit your doctor soon.

1. Itchy skin

“My skin itches. So what?” Once your itching becomes hard to deal with, then you need to take it more seriously. This is a symptom of Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells. Itchy skin is also a symptom of other health conditions, so visit your doctor.

2. Flaking

Flaking could occur on your skin or scalp. The latter is a sign of dandruff, which could also be a sign of a health condition. Flaking could be the result of a vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance or an allergic reaction. It’s not that big of a deal since it’s a treatable, temporary condition. But when it becomes intense with other symptoms, then it could be a sign of a serious disease.

3. A blood spot in your eyes

This symptom is more common with people who have high blood pressure or diabetes. It is a subconjunctival haemorrhage. However, having this sign doesn’t necessarily mean you have HBP or diabetes. So you should visit your eye doctor to know what’s wrong.

4. Questionable hair loss

Hair loss is normal as we shed our hair every day but grow them back almost immediately. If your hair loss becomes too evident, resulting in thinner hair, then you need to seek help. It can be a symptom of thyroid disease. An overactive thyroid causes hair thinning, while an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss in specific places.

5. Swollen big toe

Usually, this can occur after you stub your toe against a hard surface. If this is not the case, then it could be an early symptom of gout. This can lead to high blood pressure and kidney disease.

6. Darkening skin

If you suddenly begin to notice dark spots in areas near scars or your skin creases like straightened knuckles, it could be a symptom of adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease. It means your adrenal glands do not generate enough steroid hormones. It makes the skin become more pigmented and could also be as a result of stress.

7. Burning mouth

So you haven’t had pepper soup or anything with added pepper, and your mouth has a burning sensation. This is called “burning mouth syndrome”, and is due to damage to the pain and taste nerves. You can take a medical prescription to ease the painful burn or tingle you feel frequently in your mouth.

8. White patches

If you suddenly notice white patches appear on your skin, it means your skin has lost pigmentation. It’s a disease called vitiligo. This occurs when the immune system kills the cells called melanocytes. It results in the area turning white for lack of pigmentation.

9. Leaking nipples

If you aren’t breastfeeding, having s*x or on birth control pills, then you may be dealing with galactorrhea. It can lead to irregular periods and interfere with your fertility. This could also be a sign of b****t cancer, so you need to hurry off to your doctor fast.

10. Lump on shoulder

Often called the buffalo hump, it is a roundness on the upper back below the neck. It could be a sign of stomach cancer, so check in with your doctor for an examination.

11. Excessive sweating

If you find yourself sweating in a well-ventilated place, even when you’re not having an anxiety disorder, then you need to be vigilant. Excessive sweating can be caused by a toxic diffuse goitre, or Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid.

 

Even if you have a very busy schedule, you need to be observant. Take good care or your health, and don’t brush off any sign of a skin condition. Also, ensure you make regular appointments with your doctor for a check-up.