Dermatologists find that the skin offers a window to what is going on inside
the body, and changes to the skin may signal a more serious health problem. The
key is knowing how to spot these early warning signs so the internal disease
can be successfully treated and before it becomes a bigger problem (American
Academy of Dermatology, 2013).In some cases, the skin can show signs of an internal disease before the disease advances and becomes more serious; in other cases, a symptom is noticeable on the skin long after the disease begins causing damage internally. There are hundreds of nuances of the skin that could spell trouble, but a handful of general skin changes commonly signal an internal disease (American Academy of Dermatology, 2013):
- New rash
- New growths
- Skin discoloration
- Change in texture
Dr. Owen’s tips: Cindy Owen, MD, FAAD, Board-Certified Dermatologist
People can be their own best
detective in noticing unusual changes in their skin, and Dr. Owen recommended
seeing a dermatologist as soon as possible in these instances:
- If you notice an unusual rash that can’t be attributed to a specific cause.
- If a rash is diagnosed and not responding to the prescribed treatment.
- If a rash is accompanied by fever, muscle aches or other unusual symptoms (American Academy of Dermatology, 2013).