Cosmetic Clues

When you look into the mirror to wash your face or put on mascara, do you notice anything new -- a funky red patch or a bump that hasn't healed?  When you blow-dry your hair, does it seem to be thinning on top?  Sometimes monitoring your looks can help you monitor your health.  Do you need to make an appointment with your Doctor?


EXCESSIVE SWEATING


It's probably just.....that you sweat more than other people.  It's called hyperhidrosis, which makes you sweat up to four times the amount needed to regulate body temperature.  3% of people have it and women report it more than men do.


But it could be.....an overactive thyroid.  Grave's disease, the number one cause of hyperthyroidism, most often affects women under 40.  In addition to sweating and thinning hear, symptoms include losing weight when you're not trying to, bulging eyes, anxiety, rapid heartbeat and intolerance to heat.


THINNING HAIR


It's probably just.....stress, genetics or hormonal changes.  


But it could be.....low thyroid.  Your thyroid gland helps regulate your metabolism and can become underactive or overactive.  In either case you may have gradual hair loss.


PATCHY DRY SKIN


It's probably just.....a natural part of aging.  Your oil glands get smaller as you get older, which leads to drier skin.  Sun damage and decreased cell renewal also contribute to it, as does being dehydrated.  Medications for high blood pressure, antihistamines and retinoid therapies for acne and antiaging can also make it worse.  Try shorter, cooler showers and trade in harsh bar soap for a mild, creamy cleanser.  Afterward, apply a skin cream that contains a humectant like glycerin.  Drinking more water may help too.


But it could be.....psoriasis.  When skin cells grow too quickly and your body doesn't shed them normally, the cells pile up and form thick, scaly patches, often on your arms and legs, scalp, palms and soles of your feet.  Genetics and an overactive immune system may both play a role.


A RED FACE


It's probably just.....rosacea.  Common in fair-skinned women between 30 and 50, rosacea is an inflammatory condition in which blood vessels dilate easily, making skin look red and flushed.  Acne-like bumps often appear on the cheeks, chin and nose.  Self-treating often backfires......see your doctor for the proper moisturizer.


But it could be......lupus.  Caused by an overproduction of antibodies, this autoimmune disease affects about 1.3 million U.S. women.  It may cause a distinctive red rash on the face in the shape of a butterfly.  Other symptoms include fever, pain, fatigue and problems with your heart.


INCREASED FACIAL HAIR


It's probably just.....perimenopause.   As you age and your estrogen levels ebb, the relative rise in testosterone that thins your hair may also lead to hair where you don't want it.


But it could be.....polycystic ovarian syndrome.  PCOS, an imbalance of your sex hormones, can cause excessive facial hair growth, thinning hair, acne, ovarian cysts and weight gain (particularly around your stomach), we well as infertility, diabetes and heart disease if left untreated.

A STUBBORN PIMPLE


It's probably just.....adult acne.  Even if you left your teenage problem skin behind years ago, you can develop acne now.  When estrogen and your skin's protective oil barrier decrease with age, bacteria can penetrate more easily and cause breakouts.  


But it could be.....skin cancer.   A pimple that looks waxy, pearly, persists for weeks, doesn't seem to heal completely or bleeds occasionally could be a basal cell carcinoma.  


DO NOT SELF-DIAGNOSE OR TRY YOUR OWN FORM OF TREATMENT.  IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS, SEE YOUR DOCTOR.