How Does the Health of My Skin Impact the Rest of Me?

The skin is the largest organ on your body. It provides an important role in acting as a barrier to keep things out, and keep things in. The health of your skin plays an important role in your general health.

Your First Line of Defense

Skin is the body’s first line of defense. It acts as a barrier to keep out harmful bacteria, pathogens, and dirt which negatively affect your health. Because this is such an important organ, it is important that it be taken care of properly. There are many skin conditions which are not necessarily a problem (like dryness, sun damage, or sensitivity) until they become severe. Daily steps to take to have healthy skin are using gentle cleansers and avoiding harsh chemicals, protecting from UV rays, and using a moisturizer that adds another protective layer.   

Your Mental Health

Skin problems can negatively affect your mental health. A common skin condition, atopic dermatitis can take a significant toll on mental health, especially if it isn’t adequately controlled. This causes red and itchy skin that can become painful and raw. These symptoms affect how you feel physically and how you feel about yourself. This can lead to withdrawal from social settings and poor self-image. Stress and anxiety can also cause flare ups in this condition, which can add to the physical pain as well as further mental health decline.

Signal for Health

The skin can impact your health, and it can also give valuable health information. Changes in skin can help you know if there are underlying issues. Skin imperfections may arise, but chronic conditions become concerning. Rashes and other patches on the skin, especially when symptoms like a fever are involved, can signal infections or allergies. Yellowing skin can signal liver failure. New growths on the skin could signal cancer internal disease such as high triglycerides or diabetes. Acne along the jawline can signal PCOS. Watching the skin can help you to know when to seek a doctor, which will help to improve your overall health.

Because the skin is so important, you should do what you can to take care of it. If anything is abnormal or chronic you should always seek the help of a qualified professional to help treat and control any conditions. Taking the necessary steps to have healthy skin will help you to increase your overall health.

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