Signs of Disease That Are Written All Over Your Face

When doctors chat with patients eye to eye, it’s not just about creating rapport. Certain facial traits may reveal vital clues to underlying health conditions. We asked doctors to share what they look for while examining patients.

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Woman touching her lips
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Dry, flaky skin or lips

This is a common warning sign of dehydration. It may also indicate a more serious problem that affects sweat gland function, such as hypothyroidism (marked by insufficient levels of thyroid hormone) or diabetes, says Roshini Raj, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the NYU School of Medicine and author of What the Yuck?! Other signs of hypothyroidism include feeling cold, weight gain and fatigue. Diabetes symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination and blurry vision. The symptom could also reflect eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis or an allergic drug reaction.

Check out the latest research on how to beat diabetes.

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Woman covering mouth
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Excess facial hair

Unwanted hair, particularly along the jawline, chin, and upper lip, could be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A condition affecting as many as 1.4-million Canadian women, PCOS is a hormone imbalance in which male hormone levels are elevated. But don’t immediately assume something is wrong: Excess hair on your face could just be a trait you inherited.

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Man looking up
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Soft, yellow spots on eyelids

Patients with these cholesterol-filled lesions, called xanthelasma, may have a higher risk for heart disease. A 2016 study published in Medical Principles and Practice found that subjects with xanthelasma had higher BMIs and total levels of cholesterol, thus putting them at great risk for a cardiac event.

Find out how to improve heart health in six easy steps.

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Woman inspecting eyes in mirror
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Eye bags and puffiness

Tired-looking eyes could be a red flag for chronic allergies, which dilate blood vessels and cause them to leak. In the sensitive skin under your eyes, this creates puffiness and a dark purple-blue hue, says Dr. Raj, who is also co-founder of the skin care company TULA. Other possible culprits are hypothyroidism and sleep apnea.

Discover the medical reasons you’re tired all the time.

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Man examining face in mirror
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Facial asymmetry

This can be one of the first signs of a stroke, says Leana Wen, MD, an emergency physician at George Washington University and co-author of When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests. “Patients will often describe it like this: ‘I looked in the mirror, and my face looked different.’” You might also notice that one side of your face is numb or feel as if you can’t fully smile. Or you might have trouble speaking. Asymmetry could also be from Bell’s Palsy, but always rule out a stroke before investigating other causes. They key to treating a stroke is getting to the hospital fast. A stroke may also present with double vision and weakness in your arms or legs.

Here are the signs of disease your teeth can reveal.

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Man examining nails
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Discoloured complexion

Even slight changes may indicate that something may be wrong. Paleness could be a sign of anemia. A yellow tone could indicate liver disease. A bluish tint in lips or nail beds could indicate heart or lung disease, says Mallika Marshall, MD, an internist and pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Here’s what those white spots on your nails could mean.

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Woman examining skin in mirror
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Rashes and blotches

Certain digestive problems may show up on skin, says Dr. Raj. Itchy clusters of red bumps could indicate celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body reacts to gluten. A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheekbones and over the bridge of the nose can be a sign of lupus, an autoimmune disease. Allergies, eczema and rosacea, and certain infections can also trigger facial rashes.

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Hair brush filled with hair
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Hair loss

Losing your eyelashes or eyebrows could be a sign of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that attacks the hair follicles. “The disease can be limited to certain parts of the body, or could involve the entire body,” says Benjamin Bert, MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “Around the eyes, the hair loss can include the eyelashes or the eyebrows.” Treatments are available, but unfortunately, a cure doesn’t exist.

Discover more sneaky reasons your hair is falling out.

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Mole on woman's back
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New moles

Most moles typically aren’t a cause for concern. But to be safe, any new growths or moles on the skin should be checked out by your dermatologist, advises Dr. Raj. They could be skin cancer and, in some cases, are also a sign of internal disease or a genetic syndrome.

Next, check out 20 symptoms you should never ignore.

The Healthy
Originally Published on The Healthy

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