YOUR HEALTH IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE

WHEN A DOCTOR CHAT with patients eye to eye, it’s not just about creating rapport. Certain facial traits may reveal vital clues to underlying health conditions. The most important tip we took away: You should worry most about a change in appearance. If symptoms are new, tell your physician. 

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. Other signs of hypothyroidism include feeling cold, weight gain, and fatigue. Diabetes symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, and blurry vision. 

Excess Facial Hair 

Unwanted hair, particularly along the jawline, chin, and upper lip, could be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormone imbalance in which male hormone levels are elevated. (The condition may affect five million U.S. women of childbearing age.)

Soft, Yellow Spots on Eyelids

Patients with these cholesterol-filled lesions, called xanthelasmata, may have a higher risk of heart disease. A 2011 Danish study of nearly 13,000 patients found that about 4 percent had the spots and that those patients were nearly 70 percent more likely to develop hardening of the arteries and almost 50 percent more likely to have a heart attack over the next few decades than patients without them. 

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 puffi-ness and a dark purple-blue hue.

Facial Asymmetry

This can be one of the first signs of stroke, “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. If you suspect that you or a relative may have had a stroke, call doctor right away. 

Discolored Complexion

Even slight changes may indicate that something may be wrong. Paleness could be a sign of anemia. A yellow tone could indicate liver dis-ease. A bluish tint in lips or nail beds could indicate heart or lung disease. 

Rashes and Blotches

Certain digestive problems may show up on skin. 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. 

Receding Chin

Along with traits like a thick neck and a small jaw, this could be a sign of sleep apnea, a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops for ten seconds or more while you sleep. If you snore loudly, get headaches first thing in the morning, or feel excessive fatigue during the day, ask about getting tested.