Skin represents about 15 percent of a human’s body mass; It is the largest and most visible organ.
However, many skin functions are often overlooked. It is a sunscreen, a shield from germs, a reservoir of vitamin D and a way to tightly regulate body temperature. The skin provides us with a view of the body tissues it protects. So, don’t just think about your skin in aesthetic terms; Think of it as a reflection of your health.
Disturbances of the intestines, blood, hormones and even the heart can be seen for the first time through the skin in the form of a rash.
Erythema migrans rash
While the vast majority of tick bites won’t make you sick, there is one rash that should prompt you to visit your doctor if you notice it. Erythema migrans, a skin rash named for its ability to expand rapidly across the skin, is the hallmark of Lyme disease. It is a bacterial disease that can be very dangerous.
This rash forms a classic target pattern, like a bullseye on a dart board. So be vigilant for a few weeks after being bitten to make sure this rash doesn’t appear; Especially if you notice a red lump that was not there before.
You should also monitor other symptoms associated with Lyme disease, such as fluctuating temperatures, muscle and joint pain, and headaches.
The condition is treated with antibiotics, which can prevent long-term complications, including symptoms of chronic fatigue. This is according to what was reported by the prestigious “The Conversation” website, “Science Alert”.
Purpura
The name of this rash is derived from the mollusk that was used to make purple dye.
Purpura refers to a rash of small purple or red dots. The reason is blood pooling in a deeper layer of the skin (dermis). It indicates a problem either in the walls of the small blood vessels that feed the skin or in the blood inside them.
This may be due to a deficiency of platelets; These are small cell fragments that allow blood to clot; Perhaps due to bone marrow failure, or an autoimmune condition where the body turns on itself and attacks its own cells.
At worst, purpura may indicate a life-threatening blood poisoning; The infection spreads to the bloodstream (perhaps from the lungs, kidneys, or even from the skin itself).
Spider rash
The rash can also take the form of a spider; It is a problem within the arteries of the skin (the small arteries that supply blood to the skin). The arteries open and close to control heat loss from the surface of the body. But sometimes it can remain open; A spider-like pattern will appear.
This spider-like rash indicates problems with the arteries. The open artery is the spider’s body, and the smaller capillaries spreading in all directions are the thread legs. Note that in many cases, these tumors are benign and are not associated with any specific condition. Especially if you only have one or two cases. However, more than three cases indicate high levels of circulating estrogen, often due to liver disease or due to hormonal changes that appear during pregnancy.
Treat the underlying cause. This type of rash often goes away over time; Although it may persist or reappear later.
Black velvet
Changes in the folds of the skin (usually around the armpits or neck especially if they become thick and velvety to the touch) may indicate a condition known as acanthosis nigricans.
The “black velvet” skin appearance is more common in darker skin. Usually, the condition is associated with metabolic disorders; That is, type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome.
If any of these conditions are treated successfully, the rash may fade. But in rare cases, it can also be a sign of stomach cancer; This should be taken into consideration in patients with few or no signs of the main signs of metabolic disease (obesity, high blood pressure).
Butterfly rash
Even heart disorders can be visible on the skin. Heart valves play an important role in directing blood’s journey correctly through the heart and preventing backflow.
Sometimes the valve between the chambers of the left side of the heart (mitral valve, so called because of its resemblance to a bishop’s hat) can become narrow, causing heart function to deteriorate. The body’s natural response is to maintain basal blood volume and stop the flow towards the skin.
The effect can produce a purplish-red rash, reaching the top of the cheeks and the bridge of the nose, like outstretched butterfly wings.
It is important to pay attention to your skin constantly; Any changes in its texture or color, or the appearance of new marks or patterns, may indicate something happening beneath its surface.
2024-02-04 13:44:45
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