1 in 4 body parts turning black can warn of health problems

The colors on body parts can also reveal health conditions you are experiencing. If these 4 parts turn black, you should pay attention to your health and go for a medical examination soon.

1. Black lips

Lips gradually turning black or dark can be due to many causes that are not worth worrying about, such as:

Smoking : Cigarette smoke contains many chemicals that can cause lips to discolor over time. Smoking also reduces blood flow to the lips, causing the skin to darken.

- Too much sun exposure : Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage the delicate skin on the lips. Over time, this can increase lip pigmentation and cause darkening of the lips.

- Dehydration : Insufficient hydration can contribute to dry, chapped lips, leading to discoloration.

- Lifestyle factors : Using a lot of caffeine and licking your lips often will also cause your lips to easily darken.

In addition to the above causes, black lips can also warn of health problems such as:

Anemia : This is a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, which can cause cyanosis, causing the lips to have a bluish or dark color .

- Cyanotic heart disease : If you notice purple or blue lips or limbs, this indicates poor circulation and is associated with congestive heart failure or lung disease.

2. Nails with black lines

Black lines on the nails can mean many things, including trauma, medication side effects, and certain health conditions, such as melanoma, HIV, endocarditis.

- Melanoma

Subungual melanoma, or nail melanoma, is skin cancer under the fingernails. It usually appears as a black, vertical streak (from top to bottom) on the nail. Subungual melanoma is rare but serious.

This type of skin cancer is an aggressive form of melanoma. Unlike other skin cancers, subungual melanoma is not associated with sun exposure. This condition is more likely to develop in your big toe, thumb, or index finger.

Nail melanoma is often detected later than other cancers because people often do not know the warning signs. To recognize a malignant tumor under the nail, you can rely on some of the following symptoms:

+ Nails are split, cracked or deformed in some way.

+ Has uneven pigmentation (uneven discoloration).

+ Swollen or inflamed nails.

+ Nails peel off fingers

+ Ulcers, bumps appear or start bleeding.

+ Discoloration of the skin around the nail (Hutchinson's sign).

- HIV

HIV can cause changes in your nails, including black lines on your nails. The virus itself can cause these nail changes, as can the medications used to treat HIV. If the black lines on your nails are caused by medication, symptoms usually appear soon after you start treatment.

- Endocarditis

Dark spots on many fingernails can also be a warning sign of endocarditis, a bacterial infection in the heart.

Black lines on the nails occur due to damaged blood vessels. They are called petechiae.

In addition to the above serious causes, black streaks on the nails can also be caused by psoriasis or a fungal infection.

3. Black neck and armpits

Black neck and armpits are characteristic of acanthosis nigricans. In addition to the neck and armpits, the groin and other parts can also be darkened.

Acanthosis nigricans often appears in overweight people. This is not a dangerous condition but can be a warning sign of some health conditions such as:

- Type 2 diabetes

- Conditions that affect hormone levels – such as Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome or an underactive thyroid.

- In rare cases, acanthosis nigricans can be a warning sign of a malignant tumor in an internal organ, such as stomach, colon, or liver cancer.

Some symptoms of acanthosis nigricans include:

+ Brown or black patches of skin, most commonly in skin folds, such as the armpits, neck, or groin.

+ This black skin area feels smooth and silky

+ Some people also have small papules on this skin area.

+ Itching

+ Patches of skin have a foul odor

Symptoms tend to appear slowly, over months or even years. If these signs appear suddenly, you should see a dermatologist because this could be a sign of cancer.

4. Unexplained bruises on the skin

Bruises and dark spots on the skin such as hematoma but with unknown cause, without trauma or other physical impacts can be a sign of leukemia or bone marrow defects.

Leukemia bruises look like any other type of bruise, but tend to be more numerous than usual. Additionally, they can appear in unusual areas of your body, such as your back.

Bone marrow produces red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells and if there is a defect in the bone marrow, it will affect the production of red blood cells and platelets, causing bleeding disorders and the appearance of unexplained bruises on the skin. .

However, unexplained bruising can also be a symptom of people with serious hormonal disorders or bleeding disorders - conditions that make it difficult for blood to clot.