Skin can show first signs of some internal diseases

AAD: Skin Changes Can Be First Sign of Underlying Condition

HealthDay News – Skin changes, including new rash, new growths, discoloration, and changes in texture, could be among the first signs indicating an underlying medical condition, according to information presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, held from March 1–5 in Miami Beach.

Cindy Owen, MD, from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, and colleagues described skin changes that could be indicative of other medical conditions.

The authors note that specific skin changes commonly indicate an internal disease. These include new rash, which could be a sign of hepatitis C infection or occasionally of DRESS syndrome (drug reaction [or rash] with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms), which can occur some time after starting a new medication. Dermatomyositis has notable skin changes and is linked to a wide variety of cancers in up to 20% of cases. New growths could be skin cancer or represent a metastasis or could be a sign of other conditions such as eruptive xanthomas indicative of high triglyceride levels. Skin discoloration can suggest liver disease or adrenal disease (such as Addison's disease), or a defect in iron metabolism. Changes in texture could be a sign of systemic sclerosis, acanthosis nigricans, or acquired cutis laxa.

"Dermatologists have expertise to know when signs on the skin are more than a skin problem, which is why it is important to see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice any skin changes," Owen said in a statement. "Doing so can ensure proper diagnosis -- and in some cases stop the progression of a more serious medical condition."

Press Release:

Skin can show first signs of some internal diseases

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (March 1, 2013) —Dermatologists find that the skin offers a window to what is going on inside the body, and changes to the skin may signal a more serious health problem. The key is knowing how to spot these early warning signs so the internal disease can be successfully treated and before it becomes a bigger problem.

American Academy of Dermatology expert Information provided by Cindy Owen, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ky.

Common signs spell internal trouble

In some cases, the skin can show signs of an internal disease before the disease advances and becomes more serious; in other cases, a symptom is noticeable on the skin long after the disease begins causing damage internally. There are hundreds of nuances of the skin that could spell trouble, but a handful of general skin changes commonly signal an internal disease.

New rash

Unusual rash, or a rash that does not respond to treatment or is accompanied by fever, joint pain, muscle aches, or other symptoms could indicate an internal problem or infection.

A rash occurring on the tops of the feet and lower legs that does not respond to topical steroids or antifungals can be a sign of hepatitis C infection (necrolytic acral erythema).

Occasionally, people will develop a rash from an allergy to a new medicine. However, it is important to monitor the rash carefully because it could be a sign of a more serious condition known as DRESS syndrome, which stands for Drug Reaction (or Rash) with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms.

This condition can occur weeks to months after the start of a new medication, making it very difficult to diagnose. Dr. Owen explained that this is a potentially serious medical condition that could involve inflammation of the liver, heart, lungs, or thyroid. She stressed that it is important to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis if a rash is accompanied by swelling of the face or lymph nodes, fever, and/or feeling of illness.

Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory muscle disease with notable skin changes and is associated, in up to 20 percent of cases, with a wide variety of internal cancers (ovarian cancer being the most common in women). Signs on the skin include a violet-colored rash on the upper eyelids and in areas that are exposed to sunlight, and raised, scaly bumps on the knuckles. Other skin changes can be seen on the nail folds with visible blood vessels and ragged-looking cuticles that appear thicker and separate from the nail. Dr. Owen noted that in one case with only subtle changes of the nail fold and cuticles, a patient was diagnosed with dermatomyositis before being diagnosed with an early stage, treatable kidney cancer. New growths

Any new growths should be checked thoroughly by a board-certified dermatologist because they could be skin cancer. Rarely, new growths can represent a metastasis or spread of an internal cancer to the skin. Also, certain tumors of the skin can be a sign of internal disease or a genetic syndrome.

In one example, yellow or waxy looking bumps on the arms, legs, or trunk (eruptive xanthomas) could indicate high triglyceride levels, often as a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. In these instances, a biopsy in conjunction with laboratory testing can lead to diagnosis and treatment, hopefully reducing the cardiovascular risk from these conditions.

Skin discoloration

Skin color changes can be a sign of internal disease. In the most common example, yellowing of the skin can indicate liver disease. However, other skin color changes can be important signs as well, including darkening of the skin.

Noticeable darkening of creases in the skin, sun-exposed areas, joints, and old scars could be a sign of adrenal disease, such as Addison’s disease.

Bronzing of the skin in a patient with diabetes can be a sign of an inherited defect in iron metabolism that leads to liver failure known as hemochromatosis. Change in texture

Any unusual softening or hardening of the skin could indicate an underlying medical problem.

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which one of the early signs is swelling, followed by hardening of the skin. In more severe cases, it could result in hardening of internal organs, such as the lungs or heart.

Acanthosis nigricans is a common condition seen in overweight patients that results in darkened, velvety skin occurring in skin folds and most commonly on the back of the neck. The appearance of this textural change in the skin could indicate the presence of early diabetes. In some cases this skin change may be a sign of a cancerous tumor in an internal organ.

Acquired cutis laxa is a rare connective tissue disease marked by very loose or doughy feeling skin that is silky to the touch. This disease could be a sign of lymphoma or multiple myeloma, and it could advance to involve loss of elasticity of other internal organs. Dr. Owen noted that with proper diagnosis, it is possible to slow the progression of the disease.

Dr. Owen’s tips People can be their own best detective in noticing unusual changes in their skin, and Dr. Owen recommended seeing a dermatologist as soon as possible in these instances:

If you notice an unusual rash that can’t be attributed to a specific cause.
If a rash is diagnosed and not responding to the prescribed treatment.
If a rash is accompanied by fever, muscle aches or other unusual symptoms.

American Academy of Dermatology expert advice: “When examining a patient’s skin for signs of skin cancer or any type of skin condition, dermatologists are always mindful of unusual markings on the skin that could indicate another medical problem,” said Dr. Owen. “Dermatologists have expertise to know when signs on the skin are more than a skin problem, which is why it is important to see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice any skin changes. Doing so can ensure proper diagnosis and in some cases stop the progression of a more serious medical condition.”

Celebrating 75 years of promoting skin, hair and nail health
Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy), founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 18,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails.

For more information, contact the Academy at 1 (888) 462-DERM (3376) or visit www.aad.org. Follow the Academy on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology) or Twitter (@AADskin).

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