External Signs of Internal Problems
Some people spend a lot of money to make their hair look good — but if you’re not healthy, it’s hard to make your hair look healthy. Many people associate balding with aging, especially in men. But unexplained hair loss can have other causes, like vitamin deficiencies, polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid disease or hormonal changes. A ringworm rash on your scalp may also cause hair loss. If you’re stressed, your hair may begin to thin. On the other hand, too much body hair — sometimes referred to as hirsutism in women — may be a sign of a hormone imbalance that causes the body to produce too much testosterone.
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Review Date:
May 13, 2015Citation:
Image courtesy of Evgenyatamanenko | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Borzywoj | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Jevtic | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Marilyn Barbone | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Dmitriy Melnikov | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Berna Namoglu | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of David Schliepp | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Olena Golubova | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Everett Collection Inc. | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Josha42 | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Artefy | Dreamstime.com American Academy of Dermatology, "Skin can show first signs of some internal diseases" CHealth, "What your lips can tell you" Mayo Clinic, "Oral thrush" National Eye Institute, "Cataract Defined" Mayo Clinic, "Cataracts" Mayo Clinic, "Graves" Women's Health, "Skin and Hair Health" Kid's Health, "Help! It's Hair Loss!" Medline Plus, "Nail abnormalities" Mayo Clinic, "Slide show: 7 fingernail problems not to ignore" Medline Plus, "Clubbing of the fingers or toes" The Permanente Journal, "Nailing the Diagnosis: Koilonychia" Mayo Clinic, "Hemochromatosis" Mayo Clinic, "Expert Answers: Acne" Women's Health, "What triggers acne in women?" Medline Plus, "Paleness" Medline Plus, "Adrenal Gland Disorders" American Diabetes Association, "Hemochromatosis"
Last Updated:
May 14, 2015