When it comes to your health, you can never be too careful. Sometimes, little things, such as a rash, sore, or irritation, can actually be indicators of something much more severe. While you should always consult a doctor if you have a concern, it doesn't hurt to know about certain conditions and their warning signs. That's why we've rounded up examples of these common symptoms and the more serious health issues they're sometimes a sign of.
Unhealthy Cholesterol Levels Can Cause Bumps Around Your Eyes
This one is a bit hard to make out in the image, but it's not hard to notice small bumps forming around your eyes in person. If you do notice something like this happening, it could be a sign that your cholesterol levels are high. The medical term for these bumps is xanthelasma, and they're actually made up of cholesterol. Occasionally, they disappear on their own, but sometimes they must be removed.
There also might not be a need to worry too much, as they don't always point to high cholesterol, but it's better to be safe than sorry and go get checked out anyway.
Itchy, Chapped Lips? It Could Be Allergies
Having chapped lips is pretty common and can be caused by a number of different things, but having itchy lips is a bit rarer. Occasionally, itching lips can point to an allergic reaction. This can be from something in the environment or a chemical used in a product like makeup or a moisturizer. In any case, it's worth keeping away from any new products you might be using if you notice your lips are itching.
If the itching ceases after you've dumped a product, then that could be a sign that whatever it is you were using was causing your lips to become chapped and itchy.
Sore Hands Can Sometimes Be A Symptom Of Autoimmune Issues
Mostly, sore hands are completely normal and not a cause for worry, especially if you're someone who tends to get sore during the colder months. However, there are times when sore hands can point to a more serious illness. Something called dermatomyositis is known to cause sore hands, and this rare disease is chronic, meaning it's long-term. The condition itself can also be a sign of a more serious illness, such as cancer, in rare cases.
If you do notice inflammation or soreness in your hands, it's always a good idea to go get checked out, even if it's probably nothing to be concerned about.
Lupus Can Cause Rashes To Appear On Your Face
If you notice that you're face is exceptionally red and you haven't been out in the sun lately, then it could indicate that you have a rash. If that's the case, it's usually nothing to get too concerned about. However, in rare cases, it can be a sign of lupus, especially if the rash is shaped like a butterfly and covers the nose and cheeks, like the one pictured here.
Lupus itself can affect a lot of different parts of the body, and it's best to get it diagnosed as early as possible as it can turn into a serious illness.
Color Changes In Lips Can Be Caused By Liver Issues
There are a couple of different explanations for sudden color changes in your lips. However, one of the more serious causes can be issues associated with your liver. This can include the development of liver disease. That's why it's extremely important to see your doctor if you notice changes in the color of your lips. Odds are it's probably nothing too serious, but it never hurts to be safe.
Issues related to your liver usually involve skin or other body parts to yellow, as the bilirubin in your liver is released in unhealthy amounts. This includes yellowing of the eyes.
Stress Can Cause The Eye To Twitch
If you've ever had an eye twitch that wouldn't go away, then you know how annoying it can be. Well, it turns out that eye twitches are sometimes caused by stress. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes the eye to twitch, stress has often been linked with the condition. Luckily, eye twitching usually goes away on its own, and it's not really a reason to worry too much, unlike some of the other conditions on this list.
Still, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't make efforts to relieve your stress, especially if you notice that your eye twitching is a recurring issue, as stress can lead to other, more serious health risks.
Extremely Chapped Lips Can Indicate a Vitamin Deficiency
There are a couple of different items on this list pertaining to chapped lips. That's because there are a number of different illnesses that can cause your lips to become dry. However, if you've noticed that your chapped lips are pretty bad and they don't seem to be going away, even after obsessively applying lip balm, then it could be a sign that you're lacking a vitamin called B12.
What's worse is that vitamin B12 can also lead to a number of other illnesses, such as anemia, so it's best to take care of the issue as early as possible.
Rough Or Hard Skin Can Be A Sign Of Scleroderma
While pretty rare, a condition called scleroderma can be pretty serious. Chronic patches of hard skin can be a sign of scleroderma, and if the patches are localized to a single area, then they're relatively harmless. However, a more serious version of the disease sees it associated with many different life-threatening symptoms. That's why it's so important to get checked out by a medical professional if you think you have scleroderma.
The sooner you know how severe your scleroderma is, the better, as doctors can prepare and treat symptoms of the chronic disease better than if they were made aware in later stages.
Chronically Dry Skin Could Mean You're Dehydrated
We've all experienced dry skin at some point in time, and it's usually just caused by too much sun or not enough moisturizer. However, if you're experiencing chronic dry skin that doesn't seem to go away after applying lotion, then this may be a sign of dehydration. Like the rest of your body, your skin needs water to stay healthy. If you notice your skin is exceptionally dry, try drinking more fluids.
If the issue still persists, then it might be time to see a doctor, as dry or peeling skin can be caused by a couple of different underlying health issues.
Addison's Disease Can Produce Dark Patches
Dark patches can appear without warning, and they're usually nothing to be concerned about, especially if you've been exposed to the sun. However, in rare cases, they can be caused by something that's called Addison's disease. Autoimmune responses can cause Addison's disease, which occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged, and the body fails to produce enough cortisol. While Addison's disease can be serious, it is also totally manageable.
Some of the symptoms associated with the disease include aches in the back, vomiting, and low blood pressure. However, these usually only occur during sporadic episodes or attacks.
Small Bumps On The Lips Sometimes Indicate An Infection
They might not seem like a big deal, but small white bumps on your lips can be cause for worry. Not only are they really noticeable, but they can also pop up out of nowhere. While the exact cause of these bumps can vary, and they can even sometimes be harmless; occasionally, they signify a viral infection. In especially rare instances, white bumps on the lips can be a symptom of a fungal infection.
However, this is especially rare, and as stated above, white bumps on the lips can often be harmless. If they persist, it's still a good idea to go and see your doctor.
Changes In Moles Can Be Caused By Skin Cancer
This one is sometimes a bit difficult to spot, but changes in existing moles or new ones popping up can sometimes be caused by skin cancer. That's why it's pretty important to see a dermatologist regularly and make sure to bring up any changes you've noticed. Of course, we're not saying you should start obsessively checking every single mole on your body every single day, but it is something to be aware of.
Many health experts also say that the smaller moles someone has, the more likely they are to develop melanoma, which is the name of the more serious form of skin cancer.
Breakouts in This Area Could Be Due to Poor Lifestyle Habits
We just want to start off by saying that breakouts aren't always a sign of poor lifestyle habits. Many people get chronic breakouts for reasons that are completely different. However, sometimes breakouts can be a sign of a poor diet or another lifestyle factor, such as smoking. Luckily, if your breakouts are caused by factors like these, then it's pretty easy to change your diet or stop smoking to get rid of breakouts.
Things like stress and certain medications can also cause breakouts, which means it's important to see a doctor if you think an underlying issue is causing your breakouts.
Large, Swollen Veins Can Be A Sign Of Diabetes
Purple veins can be caused by a number of different reasons, including, for some, the fact that it's cold outside. However, occasionally, large, purple veins can be a sign that you have diabetes. When purple veins are caused by diabetes, they tend to also swell and look a bit more pronounced than the veins that are shown in this image. This usually occurs on a person's legs, feet, or hands.
However, it can technically happen anywhere, and if you notice it, you should go and see a doctor as soon as you can, as it's important to diagnose and treat diabetes early.
Smooth, Waxy Lumps Might Point to Organ Problems
Unlike some of the other conditions on this list, it's pretty hard to miss waxy lumps forming on your body. Depending on the shape and the size, there are a couple of different conditions that can cause something like this. However, one of the more serious causes is the formation of protein deposits on one of your organs. These deposits usually form on the heart, but they can pop up just about anywhere.
Luckily, this is pretty rare, and in some cases, the formation of these waxy bumps can be completely harmless. Still, getting checked out by a doctor is usually a good idea if you notice bumps like these.
Pale Lips Could Mean You Have Anemia
There are a number of different reasons your lips can turn pale in color, but we'll try to cover some of the more serious conditions. Firstly, anemia can cause lips to turn pale. The condition itself is rather serious, and it occurs when your body can't produce enough red blood cells. Another cause of pale lips is low blood sugar, which in and of itself can be a symptom of something more serious.
Finally, pale lips can be a sign that your body is not getting enough vitamins. However, there are a number of different vitamins associated with white lips, so it's best to consult a specialist if you suspect you're vitamin deficient.
Yellow, Brown Spots Can Be Caused By Necrobiosis Lipoidica
The two yellow spots in this image may look like common bruises, but these spots can also be caused by something called necrobiosis lipoidica. The hard-to-pronounce condition results in patches of rough or hard skin. Luckily, the condition is pretty rare, and it's actually pretty treatable with the right kind of care. However, if left untreated, it can result in some different medical complications popping up, including things like scarring or infections.
If you notice similar patches and they aren't sore like a bruise, or you expect them to be something else, it's generally a good idea to get checked out by a doctor.
Lines Under Your Nails Can Indicate Heart Disease
If you've ever bruised your hand or nail, then you know that sometimes the bruising can produce a dark spot under the nail. Something similar can happen when you have heart disease. Sometimes, red or purple lines appear under the nails when someone has heart disease. They're called splinter hemorrhages, and they run vertically up and down the nail. If you notice something similar under your nails, then it's a good idea to go and see your doctor.
Heart disease is a pretty serious illness, and like any other type of illness, the sooner a doctor can diagnose it, the better the chances of treating it.
Wrinkles In Weird Places Are Sometimes Caused By Blood Flow Issues
While we might not like it, everyone can pretty much expect to get wrinkles on their face at some point in time. However, wrinkles on places like the arms or legs are a bit rarer, and they can sometimes be a sign of a blood flow issue. This includes things like high blood pressure. Another common cause is heart disease. And while these are extreme cases, it's still a good idea to get unwelcome wrinkles seen by a doctor.
Wrinkles on the inner arms can also be caused by other skin-related issues that aren't nearly as serious as heart disease or high blood pressure, so don't freak out just yet if you have something similar.
Yellow, White Patches in the Eye Can Be Caused By Too Much Sun
While most people are pretty aware that they should always wear sunblock when they spend a lot of time out in the sun, less attention is usually paid to the eyes. The truth is that you should try and shield your eyes from the sun in the same way you shield your skin. Wearing sunglasses is a good way of doing just that, as they block the sun's harmful UV rays.
If you don't wear sunglasses, then you might notice a couple of yellow or white patches popping up around your iris. Luckily, these patches are usually only cosmetic and haven't yet been linked to any other serious conditions.
Velvety Skin Can Be A Sign Of Pre-Diabetes
While it might sound kind of neat to have skin that feels velvety smooth, the truth is that it can be a sign of a pretty serious underlying health issue. Velvety skin tends to pop up when your body is making too much insulin, and when your body is making too much insulin, it can be a sign that you may develop diabetes. So, you should go and get checked by a doctor.
The same symptoms can sometimes appear around creases of skin and appear dark in color. In rare cases, it can be a sign of cancer in one of the organs.
Ulcers Might Indicate a Weak Immune System
If you've ever had an ulcer, then you know how irritating they can be. They constantly hurt, and pretty much all you can do about them is wait for them to go away on their own. Still, they're usually infrequent. If you have ulcers frequently, then this could be a sign that your immune system is weak and needs a boost. They can also be a sign of other long-term conditions.
If you're starting to notice that your ulcers don't go away or another pops up as soon as you get rid of one, then it might be time to see a doctor.
Damaged Eyes Are Sometimes Caused By High Blood Pressure
Unlike other health conditions listed here, this one requires an eye doctor to detect. Sometimes high blood pressure can damage the eye if it's left untreated. This damage affects the blood vessels in your eye, but it's usually too minuscule to notice. An eye doctor can usually detect the damage during a routine visit. If your doctor does determine that the blood vessels in your eye have been damaged, it might be a good idea to get further tests.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to a number of different health risks, and few of them are benign. They include things like heart disease and stroke.
Stress Can Cause Wrinkles On Your Top Lip
You might not like it, but wrinkles are just a fact of life. It doesn't really matter what you do; there's really no stopping wrinkles from appearing entirely. Still, sometimes wrinkles on your top lip can be the result of stress. Occasionally when people are stressed, they tend to tense up their mouth and the area around it, leading to the formation of wrinkles. So, keep that in mind if you're noticing more wrinkles around your top lip.
It's also worth keeping this in mind if you ever find yourself tensing up your mouth during a stressful situation and you're trying to prevent wrinkles altogether.
Floaters Are Sometimes A Sign Of A Tear
We've all seen specks or floaters in our fields of vision at some point. They can occur after rubbing your eyes, and they're usually not a big deal. However, sometimes they can pop up after you've had a tear in your retina. A tear usually results from sudden eye movements or if you've rubbed your eyes too hard. These tears might not seem too serious at first, but they can quickly lead to more serious problems.
One such problem is retinal detachment, which is pretty much just as bad as it sounds. It's best to treat a retinal tear as soon as possible to limit the damage.
Cold Sores Could Be Herpes
You might not want to hear it, but cold sores are, in fact, caused by the herpes virus. Still, it's not nearly as bad as it sounds, as the strain of the virus that causes cold sores is not nearly as bad as the other strains people are more familiar with. In fact, cold sores are extremely common, and nearly everyone has had one at some point or another.
Cold sores usually go away on their own in around a week or so, but there are some medications out there that can speed up the healing time.
Blurry Vision Can Indicate Diabetes
This isn't always the case, but sometimes blurry vision can be a sign that you have diabetes. It can also be a sign of cataracts or macular degeneration, neither of which are much more desirable. So, it's important to regularly see an eye doctor who can usually detect diabetes through a simple eye examination. If you happen to notice blurry vision that persists, then it's best to schedule an appointment immediately.
That said, there can also be many other causes of blurry vision, some of which are more serious than diabetes and others that are far less concerning.
Red, Scaly Skin Can Be A Sign Of Psoriasis
If you've noticed that you've developed a particularly itchy rash as of late, and you're not quite sure what caused it, then there's a chance that you actually have what's called psoriasis. The condition causes your body to produce more skin cells than what's actually needed, resulting in a shiny, scaly rash. While it might sound pretty bad, there are a couple of treatments out there that can get rid of it.
There's also a small chance that your psoriasis might just go away on its own. However, this occurs less often, and it's best to simply treat your psoriasis.
A Ring Around The Eye Can Be Caused By Cholesterol
This image might look kind of cool, but it's actually an indicator of an underlying health condition. If you notice that a ring is formed around your eye, you could be dealing with high cholesterol. So, it's best to go and see a doctor as soon as you can. That said, sometimes these rings just form as people age, and they're usually not a huge really cause for concern.
High cholesterol, like high blood pressure, can lead to a number of different health risks. These include things like heart attack, stroke, and fatigue. Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure are commonly linked.
Yellowing Skin Can Be Caused By Jaundice
Yellowing skin can be pretty alarming. And while a lot of conditions on this list are pretty typical, this is not one of them. If you have yellowing skin, some causes include jaundice and hepatitis — neither of which are very desirable. So, it's always a good idea to get checked out if you've noticed that your skin has started to yellow. The same goes for the eyes, which commonly turn yellow with jaundice.
Jaundice itself can be caused by liver issues, kidney stones, and a couple of other health conditions, so it's important to get diagnosed by a medical professional so the underlying issue can be treated.
Purple Patterns Are Sometimes Caused By Blocked Arteries
Many people turn purple when it gets a bit cold outside. This is totally normal and usually isn't a sign of a severe condition. However, sometimes purple, net-patterned lines appear somewhere on the body. This is occasionally associated with a blocked artery. Usually, these appear on the legs, but they can appear in other places too. They can also have other causes, although they're usually all related to blood flow.
If you notice something similar in your body, go and get checked out by a doctor, as blood flow issues can lead to a number of different health problems.
Smoking Too Much Can Stain Your Lips
While many would probably say that smoking even one cigarette could be considered smoking "too much," and we wouldn't argue with them, there is an actual indicator that you might be smoking too much. If you ever notice that your lips are stained, like the lips in this photo, and you're a smoker, it might be time to cut back. Smoking too much can reduce the blood flow to your lips.
When this happens, it can turn your lips into different colors or cause them to become darker in some areas. It can also cause wrinkles to form around your mouth.
Different Underlying Conditions Can Cause Large Blisters
Pretty much everyone has had a blister at one point in their lives. However, having blisters as large as the one in this photo is much rarer, and it usually indicates an underlying health condition. This is especially true if the blister isn't itchy. There are a couple of different conditions that can cause a large, painless blister. However, no matter what the cause, you should always go to a doctor if you get a similar blister.
That's because something other than the weather or your clothing has caused the blister to appear, and it's usually something going on inside your body that needs to be treated.
Puffy Eyes Are A Sign Of Sleep Deprivation
This one is pretty common knowledge, but it's still important. If you notice bags under your eyes, then odds are you're not getting enough sleep. This on its own isn't that big of a deal, as everyone experiences sleepless nights at some point in their lives. However, if you notice that the problem persists, then it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it, as sleep is extremely important for the body.
Not getting enough sleep can lead to much more serious conditions, a few of which are on this list. So, it's always a good idea to prioritize your sleep if you notice puffy eyes.
Dry Lips Can Be A Sign Of Dehydration
Having dry or chapped lips is extremely common, especially at the start of winter. It usually just means the weather is changing and/or windy. However, there are times when having dry lips can be a sign that you're dehydrated. If it hasn't been windy or cold, and your lips feel extremely dry, then you might want to remember to drink more water. Being dehydrated can lead to a lot of different health issues.
So, it's best to tackle dehydration as quickly as possible once you start to notice signs your body needs water, especially in the warmer months when it can lead to overheating.
Eye Infections Can Quickly Turn Serious
Unlike some of the other symptoms on this list, it isn't hard to notice a sore on or next to your eye. In fact, they're downright hard to ignore, and they can be extremely uncomfortable. However, that doesn't mean that some people don't do just that and wait as long as possible before going and seeing a doctor. You shouldn't do this as an eye infection, in serious cases, can lead to blindness.
So, it's best to seek treatment as soon as possible, especially if you have a sore next to your eye. Even common sites should be treated if found on or next to the eye.
A High Temperature And Rash Can Indicate Rheumatic Fever
A rash usually doesn't come with a fever. They're also usually at least a little itchy. So, if you're rash does come with a fever, and you've noticed that it doesn't really itch at all, then it could be a sign that you have what's called rheumatic fever. The condition s rare in developed countries, but it does still occur, and it can lead to a couple of different health problems.
Luckily, a lot of the more serious symptoms can be avoided completely if someone manages to get the condition diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. However, it never really goes away completely.
Constantly Rubbing Your Eyes Can Lead To Wrinkles
Sometimes, it can be hard to keep yourself from rubbing your eyes, especially if you have allergies or if you're just tired. However, you should do your best to keep yourself from constantly rubbing your eyes because doing so can cause wrinkles to form or the area underneath your eyelids to sag, giving you a worn-out appearance. Luckily, there are plenty of over-the-counter fixes to keep you from rubbing your eyes too much.
They're also usually pretty good for your skin, so it never hurts to use them and other moisturizers to keep you and your skin looking fresh and not like you just woke up.
Jaundice Can Cause Yellow Eyes
There are a couple of different signs of jaundice on this list, but by far, the most common is a yellowing of the eyes. Issues with the liver often cause jaundice, although other causes can include kidney stones, tumors, and issues related to the pancreas. No matter what the underlying cause is, you should seek medical attention if you notice that your eyes are turning yellow or they're not as white as they usually are.
Luckily, the distinct symptoms caused by jaundice also mean that it's not that hard to miss, unlike some of the other symptoms on this list that can be easily dismissed.
The Sun Can Damage Lips And Lead To Dark Spots
Dark spots on the lips are sometimes referred to as sunspots, and they can show up after too much time spent in the sun. When these do occur, it's usually a good idea to keep out of the sun for a while. Luckily, they don't usually lead to more serious issues, and they can even be removed, although the process does require the use of lasers or, less effectively, creams.
Depending on the exact cause and severity of dark spots on your lips, they can even go away on their own if you make sure to take care of them and avoid exposure to the sun.