What Your Skin is Trying to Tell You

Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions can be red flags pointing to more serious health

concerns. It’s more than just pretty gift-wrap for our bones and muscles. Our skin is the body’s largest

organ, our first line of defense against the outside world, and — as it happens — a powerful indicator of

our overall health. Inflammation in other areas of the body can often be seen first on the skin.

Inflammatory health conditionsSkin expresses inflammation that originates elsewhere, he notes, particularly in the microbiome and gut,

where 70 percent of the immune system resides. That same inflammation can also lead to diabetes,

cardiac disease, arthritis, dementia, and other conditions. These things are all interconnected.

As much as they annoy us, the bumps, lumps, and rashes we experience can offer important clues —

warning signals meant to alert us to deeper, more significant problems in one or more of our bodies’

major systems.

We generally wish these symptoms would just disappear, because even if acne, psoriasis, warts, and skin

tags serve some practical purpose in getting our attention, they also make us cringe. In fact, medical

experts acknowledge that the psychological pain associated with skin conditions can be worse than the

physical discomfort. We don’t want anyone looking at us. On some level, she notes, we fear that when

others observe the condition, it is painful for them, too.

As tempting as it may be to simply suppress the symptoms, the best way to resolve chronic skin

problems for good is to work with a skilled health practitioner — one who can help you address

underlying issues that may be doing damage not just to your epidermis, but to your overall well-being.

Here’s a look at six common skin complaints and the systemic issues that may be triggering them, plus

strategies for healing them from the inside out.

Most common skin conditions with deeper meanings1. Skin Tags

Small, sac-like protrusions found on the neck or eyelids, under the breasts or armpits, or around the

groin.

What might be causing them: Blood-sugar and hormonal problems.

2. Eczema

An itchy, uncomfortable, scaly, and sometimes blistering rash, often found on the face, hands, feet,

behind ears, and in crooks of knees and elbows.

What might be causing it: Food sensitivities, microbial imbalances, or other gut-level irritations

triggering an immune response.

3. Dry Skin

Rough, flaky, or cracked skin that may itch, peel, or cause discomfort.

What might be causing it: Nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or circulatory disorders.

4. Psoriasis

Itchy spots, reddish plaques, and thick flaky lesions, sometimes accompanied by pain, stiffness, and

swelling in the joints.

What might be causing it: An irritated gut, an overactive immune system, or metabolic syndrome.

5. Acne

The most common skin disorder, characterized by pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cysts.

What might be causing it: An excess of inflammatory foods, a deficiency of highly nutritious ones, a

messed-up gut, or hormonal imbalance.

6. Premature Aging

Wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, and loss of luminescence.

What it might mean: Lifestyle-related damage is outpacing your skin’s repair capacity.

Research shows that simple adjustments in nutrition, activity, stress, and other lifestyle factors can be

more effective than drug protocols in treating many chronic inflammatory health conditions — including

skin problems. And they can dramatically improve your health in the process.