Despite external care and efforts to maintain healthy skin, one may experience various skin issues during one’s lifetime. While some may be caused due to a particular physical activity, changes in lifestyle, hormonal changes, or family history, some signs may be the precursor for serious health concerns. So it’s important to get these symptoms checked professionally to get expert advice and treatment. Here are 8 signs that should prompt one to consult a dermatologist.

Persistent acne
Breakouts may occur as a result of stress, unexpected changes in one’s eating habits, or during adolescence. While breakouts are normal, experiencing persistent aches without any significant changes in one’s lifestyle can be a cause for concern.

Blemishes
The damaged skin cells around a zit or acne leave pigmented spots and cause blemishes. These spots may fade gradually or with easy home remedies, but it’s better to have a dermatologist examine them if any areas do not lighten with time.

Increase in size of dark circles
The common causes of dark circles include lack of sleep, dehydration, advancing age, or excessive sun exposure. However, underlying health diseases like eczema or thyroid problems may also cause it. So, if one sees that the dark circles are growing in size elliptically, one should consult a doctor.

Dryness
Seasonal changes, especially winters, may cause one’s skin to feel dry. Usually, moisturizing and drinking enough water can fix the problem, but if one’s skin feels unnaturally dry, it may be a cause of other health concerns like diabetes or thyroid problems.

Itching
Excessive itching all over one’s body can be a sign of diabetes or infection. Also, a significant hike in creatinine levels, which indicates issues with liver or kidney function, can lead to itchiness.

Allergies
Skin allergies or rashes can result from a viral infection, overexposure to the sun, or a side effect of ongoing prescription treatment. If the rashes do not seem to heal or lessen over time, one should immediately consult a dermatologist.

Underarms and neck darkening
The darkening of one’s neck and underarms regions is a common sign of insulin resistance and diabetes, which can be easily ignored since it is not painful or may not be outright noticeable.

Yellow deposits around eyes
Abnormal yellow deposits around the corners of one’s eyelids are accumulated cholesterol deposits. These deposits may be an onset of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease.

Consulting a dermatologist for any abnormal change in one’s skin can be the first step to diagnosing any health condition at its early stage and getting a suitable treatment plan.