You might occasionally notice a new mark on your body, whether it’s on your arm, thigh, or leg. While these marks are often harmless, such as minor injuries, there are cases where they could indicate something more concerning – especially if you don’t remember how you got them.
According to 20minutos.es, Dan Baumgardt, a professor of physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience at the University of Bristol, shared in Science Alert that certain signs warrant closer attention. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to take them seriously and consult your GP. So, what should you watch out for?
Butterfly-shaped rashes
Health experts explain that “heart disorders can also be seen in the skin”. This is because “heart valves are responsible for directing blood flow correctly, but sometimes the mitral valve, located between the chambers on the left side of the heart, can narrow, causing a deterioration in the heart’s activity”.
In response, the body prioritizes central blood volume by reducing circulation to the skin, which can result in a purple-red rash appearing on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose.
Shaped somewhat like a delicate insect, this condition is known as mitral facies and may persist depending on the severity of heart damage and its treatment. Additionally, clevelandclinic notes that a similar rash is commonly seen in individuals with lupus.
As we reported this week, singer Selena Gomez says her lupus was ‘life or death’ situation. According to Lupus UK: “Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system is dysfunctional and mistakenly identifies the body’s own tissues as foreign invaders. In people with lupus, the immune system creates autoantibodies to attack the body’s tissues.
“These form immune complexes which cause inflammation and damage – possibly affecting the organs and/or the joints in some lupus patients.” You can read all about that, and lupus symptoms here.
Spider shape on the skin
Spider mites appear as rashes caused by issues with the skin’s arterioles. These are small arteries that supply blood and help regulate heat loss and typically open and close to control body temperature.
However, sometimes they become stuck, creating a pattern that resembles the spiders many dislike. The dilated arteriole forms what looks like the body of the arachnid, while the branching capillaries spread out like its legs.
The gurus add: “These rashes can appear on the skin without needing to be associated with any specific condition. However, having more than three may suggest high circulating levels of the hormone estrogen, which could be due to liver disease or hormonal changes during pregnancy. Normally, skin spiders disappear over time, although this process can be delayed and they may even come back again.”
A shape of a bullseye
If you notice a rash shaped like this and you’ve been on a walk lately such as around the countryside, experts say it could be a tick. “Erythema migrans, a rash with a great ability to spread through the skin, is a hallmark of Lyme disease, a serious bacterial disease. Its bullseye shape will help you quickly identify it in your body”, the expert adds.
According to NICE, you should “consider the possibility of Lyme disease in people presenting with several of the following symptoms, because Lyme disease is a possible (but uncommon) cause of:
- Cognitive impairment, such as memory problems and difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Fever and sweats
- Headache
- Malaise
- Migratory joint or muscle aches and pain
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Paraesthesia
- Swollen glands