When we talk about skin, it’s often through an aesthetic lens. From the hype associated with trending skincare methods to the excitement surrounding the latest products, the way we approach our skin sits closer to fashion or make-up than think it does health and wellness.

But while we might not think of our skin in the same way we do our heart and lungs, it still deserves the same care and attention. As the largest organ of the body, our skin has a whole host of responsibilities, including protecting the body from external bacteria and helping us to regulate temperature. And unlike many of our other organs, you can usually see when something is wrong.

Not all skin issues are indicative of a big problem. Facial breakouts, for example, can be very frustrating, but they can simply be the result of dehydration or a lack of sleep – things that are easily fixed in the short term. However, in some cases, skin abnormalities and conditions can be a sign of an issue within our bodies. But how can we tell when we need to be concerned? 

We know factors such as diet, rest and hydration can affect our skin’s appearance. But is there a direct link between our skin and the health of the body it protects?

Dr Natalia Spierings, a consultant dermatologist and author of Skintelligent: What You Really Need To Know To Get Great Skin, says the link is a complex one. “There are certain skin diseases that are well-associated with systemic disease, and cigarette smoking, for example, can directly impact the health of the skin while also having serious systemic health implications with long-term use,” she explains.

“In general, however, skin problems like acne, rosacea or melasma do not have systemic implications, and these conditions are normally not associated with any general medical or health problems.”

Of course, Dr Spierings adds, there are always exceptions – so if you’ve started having skin problems out of the blue with no apparent cause, it’s important to go and see an expert.  

If you’re struggling with lots of breakouts or redness, it’s only normal to wonder whether there’s something else going on inside. But Dr Spierings is keen to stress that most skin issues, especially in the facial area, are not typically the result of poor health. Instead, temporary or natural factors – such as hormonal fluctuations, a new skincare regime or diet – are often at play.

However, there’s no hard and fast rule for what is and isn’t concerning. “Every individual is different and so no generalisations can be made,” Dr Spierings says. “For example, a patient may have an inflammatory joint or bowel disease like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease and require oral steroids to manage that condition. Oral steroids can also cause facial and body acne, so in this case the breakouts may be a sign of ‘poor health’ (the inflammatory joint or bowel disease), but not directly.”

That said, there are certain skin conditions that could be a sign that something’s going on. “Chronic plaque psoriasis [where scaly patches appear on the surface of the skin] and cardiovascular disease are related, and there are some skin diseases that particularly affect patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and certain autoimmune diseases, like coeliac disease,” Dr Spierings explains. 

In the case of diabetes, there are several skin-related symptoms linked to high glucose levels, including necrobiosis lipoidica (characterised by yellow, reddish or brown patches on the skin, typically in the shin area) and acanthosis nigricans (characterised by darker patches of skin that feel like velvet). 

“Mental or physical stress which leads to raised cortisol levels can also have a direct impact on skin,” Dr Spierings adds. “This is particularly true in those prone to eczema, perioral dermatitis, rosacea or acne.”

Skin cancer also tends to manifest on the top layer of the skin, making it directly visible to the human eye. Common symptoms include a sore or area of skin that doesn’t heal within four weeks, looks unusual or hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than four weeks. Red patches, lumps and changes in any freckles or moles can also be a sign of skin cancer, so it’s important to get checked out if you’re worried. 

It’s worth noting that these symptoms will look different depending on the colour of your skin, so seek professional advice if you’re at all concerned.

This one’s pretty simple. If you’re worried about your skin – whether you’ve got a potentially concerning symptom or are just struggling with frequent breakouts – it’s always OK to seek professional help.

“In my opinion, all skin disease or problems with your skin that have any sort of impact on your quality of life should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional; depending on what it is, a GP or a dermatologist will be your first call,” Dr Spierings explains.

“Though some skin diseases are not curable, the majority of skin problems can be manged or controlled to the point that they do not impact quality of life. Seeing a dermatologist even just once may be enough to get you on the right track and fix the problem.” 

Images: Getty