Health Awareness: Nails, Hair, and Skin Issues

This week's post have been about Health Awareness.  The key to good health consists of eating properly, exercising and getting the proper rest.  Your body will look and feel better when you are taking care of it.  Now sometimes, we could be doing all of the above and our body will start to change in subtle ways.

When you go to the doctor, the first thing they are going to look at is your physical body.  This is one way to assess whether something bigger is going on in your internal body.  When you look at your nails, hair and physical body on a daily basis in terms of whole picture, you might not notice subtle changes which is your body's response to fighting a disease or sickness.

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If you go to a Nail Tech or your Hair Stylist they should regularly analyze your nails and hair.  They are looking to make sure that everything looks good and healthy.  The same idea goes hand in hand with your Skin Care Specialist.  They could be minor or major changes yet, any change is worth looking into further.

If your nails look like any of this slide show as shown via the Mayo Clinic, please go see a doctor immediately.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nails/WO00055.  If you experience any yellowing, blackened portion or discoloration of your nail, could be a sign of fungus to which is highly contagious and can only be treated properly by a professional.  Fungus cannot be "cured" by a topical cream or spray to which you can find at the store.  That is an assumption as it will only bandaid the problem.

As a hairstylist, it is part of our job to get the "low-down" on you!  During a consultation, we may ask you what medications you are on, if you have any health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes, what your daily routine consists of, what products you use, what your hair does on a daily basis, if your hair is usually oily or dry...etc.  All of these questions have a greater purpose and allow us to keep an eye on you better!  Medication is a big factor that will cause a change in hair, yet it is not always the problem.

If hair is a person's hair is thinning and they are shedding an over abundance of hair frequently can be signs of malnutrition.  It can also be signs that an illness might be present.  They also might simply be genetics.  If your hair is overly dry despite the proper hair treatments, your scalp starts developing irritations or crusty patches, or your developing hair loss in a patchy sort of fashion all are indicators that something bigger is happening.  They can indicate hypothyroidism, psoriasis, or maybe you have a condition called alopecia.  All are problems worth seeing a doctor or dermatologist about to be safe.

In the same way we have discussed nail and hair changes, our skin's condition can tell us so much about our body's health.  According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, skin can show first signs of some internal diseases.  (http://www.aad.org/stories-and-news/news-releases/skin-can-show-first-signs-of-some-internal-diseases--) Rashes, unusual dry patches or growths all should be looked at carefully by a professional.  If you notice anything unusual, it is never a bad idea to seek professional's opinion on the affected area.

Drawing awareness to your nails, hair and skin can be the easiest way for keeping good health and preventing illness.  The rule of thumb that I tell my clients is that if you are uneasy about something you find on your nail, skin, or scalp and hair, go have it looked at by a professional and doctor.  It is not crazy to do so and it shows you are taking an initiative with your health and keeping your body protected.  We need to take care of our bodies the best we can as we are only given one!

Catie Manning
The Hairstylist