Our bodies talk to us all the time, though we don't always listen. If you want to know more about your health, take a look at your skin, hair, and fingernails.
Your skin is your biggest organ. If you have a health problem, your first clue something is going on will probably show up there. You just have to know what to look for.
Two or three years ago, Mia Willhite developed dark, rough patches of skin on her neck and chest. She thought it might be a rash.
"I try to be really stylish, as a woman, so when you wear certain things you notice how things fit you a little differently," said Willhite. "But when it didn't go away, and I didn't get relief, I knew it must be something more than that."
Willhite was right. Emory dermatologist Dr. Jamie MacKelfresh checked them out and says those dark patches could be a warning sign of a condition that could double Willhite's risk of diabetes.
"I've definitely caught a few health problems just by looking at the skin," said Mackelfresh.
Dr. MacKelfresh says your skin, hair, and nails all reveal clues about your health.
"Is the hair shedding, is it brittle? Same thing for the nails, are they shedding? Are they changing colors? And again these are usually dramatic," Mackelfresh said.
Pitted and peeling nails could be a sign of fungal infection, psoriasis, or even a thyroid problem.
"There can be a blue discoloration, yellow discoloration, those can indicate heart disease. They can indication medication problems, they can indicate lung problems," said Mackelfresh.
If your hair is falling out, you may be stressed, or have an auto-immune problem. She says check your skin for rashes, discolorations, or itching that won't go away.
"If it's all over your body, if it comes on abruptly, it can indicate something serious is going on, even a cancer like a lymphoma. So you definitely want to bring that attention to your physician," explained Mackelfresh.
She says don't panic, but also don't ignore something if it's been there and it's not going away.
Mackelfresh says most of the time a change in your hair, or skin, or nails, does not turn out to be a serious health problem -- but it can. She says just be on the lookout, and if you see something that's new, or out of the ordinary, get it checked out.
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Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds for 170 children's hospitals across the United States and Canada. Click here for more on our local heroes!
