THISDAY

What Your Skin Says About Your Health Status

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The human skin is the outer covering of the body. It is the largest organ of the human body. The skin has multiple layers of external tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals. Though nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles, it can appear hairless. There are two general types of skin, hairy and glabr ous skin. Because the skin interfaces with the envir onment, skin plays • an important immunity role in protecting the body against pathogens and excessive water loss. • Its other functions are insulation, • temperatur­e regulation, • sensation, • synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. • Severely damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmente­d. In humans, skin pigmentati­on varies among population­s, and skin type can range from dry to oily. Such skin variety provides a rich and diverse habitat for bacteria, and there are several bacterial present on the human skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperatur­e, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.

Good health often is reflected in an attractive, youthful appearance. So you might be tempted to blame aging and stress for facial lines, unsightly fingernail­s, or hair loss when, in fact, these flaws can signal underlying health issues. This starts by whispering, then it’ll start talking, and, if you don’t pay attention, it’ll start yelling and shouting, and then you’ve got an illness. juice first thing every morning.

A pronounced frown line: A pronounced line between the eyes shows the liver is under pressure. This could be for physical, environmen­tal and emotional reasons, an allergy to foods/substances or loss and grief . This leads to adrenal overload, known as burnout. Try gently massaging the area with circular moves.

Pimples on the forehead: This could indicate internal symptoms, such as problems with the liver and stomach congestion, Robinson says. “Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins. You should also eat more liver-friendly foods, such as leafy green vegetables, and cut out processed foods, as well as caffeine.

Itchy ears: Itchy ears are often the sign of an allergy or low tolerance. Psoriasis and eczema here are signs that the person is depleted in vitamin D – the sunshine vitamin. [Spending] 10 minutes with the arms and face exposed will give the body vital sunshine and plenty of vitamin D.

Acne on the jawline: Acne here may result from eating lots of dairy, sugar and refined foods, such as burgers, chips, crisps and fizzy drinks. Eat more fresh foods and replace fizzy drinks with water to flush out toxins. Ensure the affected areas are cleansed thoroughly.

Acne around the jawline: Oestrogen is a friend to our skin, suppressin­g sebaceous activity, but when levels reduce as women get older, skin lacks lustre and you may experience acne cysts deep in the dermis and commonly found on the jawline and hairline. Try eating apricots, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and mangos as they all contain vitamin A to normalise the production and life cycle of skin cells.

Bags and dark circles under the eyes are typically a telltale sign of one too many late nights (and not enough sleeping in). But if you’re getting plenty of shut-eye and still can’t shake the basset-hound look, you might want to take a look at your diet.

Eye bags and puffiness are caused by fluid

buildup in the thin, loose skin that sits below your bottom eyelid. Lots of things—from allergies to crying jags—can cause fluid to accumulate there, but one of the main culprits is eating too much salt. High-sodium foods promote water retention throughout the body, and the sensitive under-eye area is no exception.

Dark circles under the eyes: Dark circles that persist despite regular and restful sleep may be a result of food intoleranc­es. Remove dairy and wheat from their diet and see if the circles lighten. Another culprit is alcohol – even in moderate amounts this can cause darkness around the eyes. Try to reduce alcohol consumptio­n.

Dark circles on the eyes: This indicates a possible deficiency of iron in the blood. Try reducing the amount of stimulatin­g drinks you have, including fizzy drinks, coffee and tea.

White spots on the eyes: A series of white spots near the outer rim can indicate a chronic congestion of the lymphatic system. You should avoid lactose and cow’s milk products.

Spots on the cheeks: “These can be caused by not cleaning foundation away properly so the skin becomes congested. This might be from using a water-based cleanser that doesn’t remove make-up fully. Use an oil-based cleanser and take a break from wearing make-up to let the skin breathe.

Everyone experience­s dry skin from time to time. Usually it’s a minor nuisance caused by cold air or overly hot showers, but in some cases parched, brittle skin is a sign of dehydratio­n or serious health problems. Hypothyroi­dism and diabetes can both leach moisture from the skin, for instance, as can nutrient deficienci­es associated with a poor diet or eating disorders.

Atheroscle­rosis, the narrowing of arteries that leads to heart disease, can affect skin as well—especially on the feet, legs, and shins. If the tiny arteries that carry blood to the extremitie­s become blocked, they can deprive the skin of oxygen, producing dry, shiny patches.

Small bumps under the skin: You may be using too strong a product on the skin. Use the right cleanser. A milder one would be more suitable if you suffer from this.

Dark patches: These can be caused by medication or illness so please see your doctor. Age spots, on the other hand, may be the body’s way of ridding itself of toxins. Eat more fresh foods, drink more water and massage a small amount of castor oil on to existing age spots.

Oily skin: Oily skin can be caused or worsened by your diet. Pay attention to your diet. As you get older, your skin produces less sebum. Choose the right cleanser to keep it under control and use a face mask regularly.

Puffy skin: The skin may be trying to protect itself from a beauty product that’s too strong for it. Drink lots of water to help drain the lymph system.

Although wrinkles are inevitable, they also may be a sign of osteoporos­is. Is your furrowed brow and grooved mouth ratting out your bones? Research reveals an associatio­n between wrinkles and bone health in early-menopausal women. The worse the wrinkling, the greater the risk of lower bone density. Most wrinkles are the result of aging, but excessive exposure to cigarette smoke or the sun can speed the process.

It is advised that you pay particular attention , to your body, even though your skin is a very good and reliable telltale and alarm, that there is something wrong with your health. Indicators can be assured, if you do know that you are eating healthy food, do moderate good exercise , a living sensibly.

Do not overlook any signs at any time, as it is easier to treat a disease or illness, if it is picked up early enough.

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