Your skin can tell you a lot about your health! Are you ready to listen?

Individuals may also experience the discomfort of “uremic pruritus”, characterised by intense itching.

Kidney issues may also manifest through red spots on the body, indicative of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). This is an allergic reaction caused when the body’s immune system targets both the kidneys and the skin, resulting in distinctive signs.

Uremic frost. (Open Access Biomedical Image Search Engine)

Among other manifestations, the skin may exhibit:

• Excessively dry skin with scales
• Itchy skin
• Changes in skin colour to pale, gray, or yellowish hues
• Changes in fingernails and toenails
• Swelling of the extremities
• Appearance of blisters on hands, face, and feet

A noticeable lump in the belly region could signal kidney cancer, especially if located on the side, belly, or lower back, prompting a visit to the doctor.

Also Read: Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes but feel like treatment isn’t working?

Signs of heart trouble on the skin

The skin can also serve as a reflection of one’s cardiovascular health. Speaking to South First, Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, an interventional cardiologist at Kauvery Hospital in Bengaluru, underscores how certain skin conditions can be indicative of underlying cardiovascular issues or systemic diseases:

Xanthelasma. (Wikimedia)

• Cholesterol patches on the eyelids and at the angles of the eyes, known as Xanthelasma, often point to an elevated risk of heart disease due to high cholesterol.
• Swellings or lumps within the tendons, a genetic condition called Tendon Xanthomas, indicate early risks of developing heart diseases due to cholesterol accumulation.
• Bronze discolouration of the skin, known as Hemochromatosis, indicates iron overload leading to cardiomyopathy.
• Rashes indicating Vasculitis, involving inflammation of blood vessels, can lead to cardiovascular complications.
• Red patches or spots on the skin may be Erythema Multiforme and Subcutaneous Nodules in rheumatic fever, potentially leading to rheumatic heart disease affecting the heart valves.
• A distinctive skin rash in Lyme disease patients, resulting from tick bites, caused when the electrical impulses that control heartbeats are partially or entirely blocked.
• Changes in skin in cases of Amyloidosis when substances called amyloid proteins build up in the organs, including the skin, leading to changes in skin appearance. This condition can also affect the heart, causing amyloid heart disease, which impairs the heart’s function.

Also Read: Dark skin around the neck? Don’t ignore it, say doctors

Signs of thyroid trouble on the skin

Speaking to South First, senior dermatologist Dr Girish D of Derma Clinic in Bengaluru explains how both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can manifest distinct skin changes.

Hypothyroidism:

• Dry and rough skin: Reduced thyroid function slows down the skin’s renewal process, leading to dry, flaky, and rough skin.
• Pale or yellowish skin: Hypothyroidism can decrease blood flow and the production of melanin, leading to a pale complexion.
• Cold and swollen skin: With hypothyroidism, the skin may feel unusually cold to the touch, and there can be swelling around the eyes and face due to myxedema, which is the swelling of the skin and soft tissues from increased glycosaminoglycan deposits.
• Thinning hair and brittle nails: Reduced thyroid hormone levels can also affect hair and nail growth, leading to hair thinning, hair loss, and brittle nails.

Hyperthyroidism:

• Warm and moist skin: An overactive thyroid can increase blood flow to the skin, making it unusually warm and moist to the touch.
• Smooth and thin skin: Hyperthyroidism can lead to an increase in skin turnover, resulting in smoother but thinner skin that is more susceptible to tearing.
• Sweating: Excessive sweating is common due to increased metabolism and heat production in the body.

Also Read: This oncologist sheds light on thyroid cancer and how it affects more women than men

Signs of diabetes on the skin

Acanthosis nigricans. (Wikimedia Commons)

Dr V Mohan, a renowned diabetologist from Dr V Mohan’s Diabetes and Research Centre in Chennai, emphasises to South First that diabetes can also leave its mark on the skin.

• Dark, velvety patches on the skin, known as Acanthosis Nigricans, often occur in areas like the neck and armpits and can be an early warning sign of insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.
• Diabetic dermopathy: Often referred to as “shin spots”, this condition manifests as light brown, scaly patches on the skin, resembling age spots. They are usually found on the shins and are caused by changes in the small blood vessels that supply the skin.
• Diabetic blisters (Bullosis Diabeticorum): Rare but can occur on the fingers, hands, toes, feet, legs, or forearms. These blisters resemble burn blisters and often heal without scarring.
• Dry skin: High glucose levels can lead to dehydration and dry skin. Dry skin can crack, itch, and get infected if not properly cared for.
• Infections: Individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to bacterial infections such as sties, boils, as well as fungal infections like athlete’s foot, and ringworm due to the immune system being compromised.