13 Face Symptoms & Underlying Conditions

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Well, I say the face is the door to your health!

Do you have puffy eyes or dry skin? Are you noticing changes to your complexion?

Certain symptoms that show up on our faces can inform us of certain underlying conditions.

13 symptoms on your face & what they mean:

1. Puffy and baggy eyes

Why do our eyes get a little red and puffy? It’s usually because of some sort of allergy, right? In most cases, this is typically true. If your eyes constantly look tired then you could possibly have a chronic allergy that continually irritates your eyes. If it’s not an allergy, it could also be sleep apnea or hypothyroidism.

2. Eyelids with yellow spots

This is an interesting one that you may not be familiar with. People that have small, soft yellow spots on their eyelids may have an increased risk of heart disease. These yellow spots, known as xanthelasma, are actually lesions filled with cholesterol underneath the skin. Patients with these spots had higher cholesterol levels which put them at a higher risk of heart problems.

3. Dry and watery eyes

If your eyes are constantly watering or feel dry, you may have an issue with your body’s tear production. Constant watery eyes may mean that you can’t make tears with a fatty layer. This process of tear production can be thrown off by an imbalance of DHEA, testosterone, and progesterone. 

4. Dry lips and skin

Dry skin or dry lips can mean that you’re dehydrated! If you find that the skin on your face is flaky or dry, you might not be drinking enough water. If you’re good on your water intake, but still experience dry skin, then you could have some illnesses like hypothyroidism, psoriasis, eczema, or an allergic reaction to a certain medication. If you have dry or flaky skin, it’s worth finding the root cause!

5. Numbness or facial asymmetry

There could be a variety of reasons why your face feels or looks different. In this case, the first sign of stroke can often be partial numbness in the face. If your face looks different or you can’t fully smile, this could also be an early indicator of stroke. Other signs of stroke are weakness in legs and arms and double vision.

6. New moles

Most moles aren’t an issue, but if you start getting new ones, you’ll definitely want to check them out. Moles are often a sign of skin cancer which is why you want to be extra careful and pay attention to any changes to your face and body.

7. Extra facial hair

Okay, ladies, many of us are very familiar with the hair we frequently remove from our faces. For some, it’s some extra hair on the upper lip. For others, it’s an extra hairy chin or jawline. Although you’re all gorgeous with or without it, we get why you want to remove it. Some of us have more hair than others which is normal, but sometimes an excess amount of hair can be an indicator of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). According to the CDC, this condition affects around 5 million women (of childbearing age) in the United States. Of course, extra facial hair can be an inherited trait, but it’s worth looking into if you’re experiencing other symptoms of PCOS like acne or irregular periods.

8. Hair loss on the eyelashes and eyebrows

Losing eyelashes and eyebrow hair can be a sign of alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks hair follicles. This could affect other areas of the body or just the face. 

9. Hair loss at the crown of your head

If your hair is thinning at the crown of your head, you may have a thyroid deficiency. This could also mean that you’re not getting enough proteins or minerals in your diet or that your body is having difficulty absorbing the nutrients.

10. Hyperpigmentation and discolored patches of skin

Discolored patches of skin can be a sign of melasma which is caused by hormonal issues and sun exposure. Those with melasma may have brown or grayish patches of skin appear on their face. Events that cause a major change in hormones like birth control pills or pregnancy can lead to melasma. 

11. Color changes to your complexion

Changes in your complexion can indicate several illnesses. If you become pale, you could have anemia. If your nail beds or lips have a bluish tint, you could have lung or heart disease. And if your skin takes on a yellow tone, you might have liver disease. Any major changes to the color of your skin warrants a doctor’s visit!

12. Blotches and Rashes

Dealing with some itchy red bumps on your skin? You may have digestive issues like celiac disease (a disorder where the body can’t process gluten). If it’s not an issue with the gut, it could also be eczema or other allergies. A rash across the cheeks and nose can be an indicator of an autoimmune disease called lupus.

13. Skin tags on the neck

Skin tags are small growths of skin that develop on top of your skin. These can be on your eyelids and your neck. Skin tags don’t present much discomfort, but they can be a sign of insulin resistance which is a symptom of PCOS.

Did you notice that many of these conditions involve your hormones? 

It’s no secret that a hormonal imbalance can really wreak havoc on other parts of your body. From hair loss to hyperpigmentation, there are many visible signs of hormonal issues that are worth investigating.

Concerned about your hormones, but don’t know where to start? We’ve got your back! With our Hormone Optimization Program, you can get those hormones in order so you can live your best and healthiest life! 

Book an appointment at drwellnessscottsdale.com or give Dr. Musset a call at (480) 608-4808.