Here are the true meaning behind seven common beauty issues you might have…
1. If your nails are thick, brittle or yellow… It could mean that you need to take a break from using chemicals like soaps and nail polish removers on your hands. To fix this, wash your dishes while wearing rubber gloves and use polish remover without acetone. This symptom could also mean that you are not getting enough protein or iron in your diet. Click here to see a more thorough breakdown of what your nails might be telling you. And click here to find out how much protein you should be eating each day.
2. If you have severe acne… It could mean that certain organs in your body need a little extra attention. When I say “severe acne,” I’m not talking about the occasional breakout when you’re PMSing or hormonal teenage pimples. If you have extreme acne that never clears up, it could mean you have certain food allergies, you’re not drinking enough water, or you’re eating too much junk food that’s upsetting your digestive system. Breakouts on certain areas of your face mean certain things (it’s called “face mapping”), and we’re doing a post on this later this month so stay tuned!
3. If you have excessive hair growth… Might mean that you were blessed with fast growing hair (lucky you). But if you notice fast hair growth all over your body, it may be due to a serious medical condition called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), according to Refinery29. This condition can mean you have a major hormonal imbalance, so if you notice extra hair showing up all over your body you might want to consult a doctor. But no need to panic either—everyone’s bodies are different.
4. If you have excessive hair loss… On the other hand, if your hair is thinning at an alarming rate (think an average of 100 hairs a day), the causes could be everything from your birth control to antidepressants to diabetes. If you eat a healthy diet and have a great hair-care regimen but notice tons of strands coming out when you brush your hair, you might want to see a doctor. If you’re on birth control or anti-depressants, they might tell you to switch to a different brand of medication. Excessive hair loss can also be linked to skin issues, so you might want to see your dermatologist too.
5. If you break out in hives… Hives that show up once in a while in the form of patches of a red, itchy rash can mean that you have an allergic reaction to food, lotions, or just about anything else your body has recently come into contact with. But chronic hives that never leave can mean a more serious condition. According to Refinery 29, it could actually be the warning sign of a serious liver infection. If this sounds familiar to you, your first step is to stop taking antihistamines immediately, as they will overload your liver. Then, go see your doc ASAP.
6. If you notice small red bumps on the backs of your arms… You might have more in common with Miss Lauren than you thought! In her Beauty book, Lauren describes this stubborn rash as Keratosis pilaris that is only treatable with prescription creams and lasers. But it could also mean that you are not getting enough omega-3 oils in your diet, according to Livestrong. Load up on omega-3-rich foods like salmon, olive oil, and avocados for a few weeks. If the bumps don’t go away, it might be time to make an appointment with your dermatologist.
7. If you wake up with dark circles under your eyes… It could mean you didn’t get enough sleep that night, that you have seasonal allergies or that you are very dehydrated (Glamour). WebMD recommends avoiding salty foods, drink up your H20, and see a doctor about seasonal allergy medications if your under eye bags persist.
The most important thing to remember is that you must tune in to your body to really find out what it needs. If your eyes are puffy and you feel dehydrated, drink some water! Listening to your body and its needs might help you make a quick fix and avoid a pricey trip to the doctor’s office. Also, all of the above explanations are simply possibilities of what your body could be going through. As with all medical issues, your symptoms do not mean that you 100% have one of these conditions.
