What your lips say about you.

LIPS

Swollen lips
Bee-stung lips, a la Angelina Jolie, may be desirable but if they unexpectedly become puffy, it may be a symptom of something else going wrong. Swollen lips are sometimes due to Crohn’s Disease, which normally causes swelling in the bowel but can inflame the lymph ducts in any part of the body, including the face. Swollen lips may also indicate sensitivity to food – if they suddenly swell up and tingle this could be a reaction to something you’ve just eaten. It’s worth getting this checked out by an allergy specialist.

Cracked lips
Cracks at the side of the mouth can be caused by anaemia, which occurs when you’re not getting enough iron. Cracks can also be a sign of diabetes. The high level of blood glucose which occurs when you have diabetes may encourage the growth of candida. This is a yeast-like fungal infection that can attack the thin skin at the corners of the mouth.

Chapped lips
Persistently sore and chapped lips could indicate an allergy. Irritants – which can be anything from food to cosmetics or even dentist’s gloves – can make your lips swell slightly and this can eventually lead to the skin cracking and peeling. Again, an allergy specialist will be able to help.

Cold sores
Recurrent cold sores are usually a sign that your immune system is not up to strength. You have the herpes virus in your body and it is being reactivated. This often happens in winter, when there are lots of viruses and bugs around and your immune system doesn’t cope as well with everything. Persistent cold sores can also point to a poor diet. Any sore that lasts longer than two weeks should be checked by a doctor.

Pale lips
Very pale lips can indicate anaemia. If they become unusually pale, regard it as a danger sign – if yours (or anyone else’s) turn whitish or blue-tinged, get help immediately. This change in colour can mean there’s not enough oxygen in your blood, which may be due to a heart condition or lung problem.

NAILS

Unusually pale nails
Healthy nail beds are pink because there is a rich blood supply underneath. If yours become white-looking or even blue-tinged, this could mean you are suffering from a lack of iron or else poor circulation and your blood is not reaching the ends of your fingers.

White spots
Small white flecks on your nails may indicate a lack of zinc in your diet. You need zinc for a variety of bodily functions, including effective digestion. Foods that are rich in zinc include wholegrains, eggs and chicken. White spots can also result from a diet high in alcohol, sugar and fruit.

Brittle nails
These may be another clue that you have a zinc deficiency or shortage of iron. They can also indicate a congested liver, resulting from an inadequate diet. Try to eat more vegetables, pulses (peas and beans) and fish.

Ridges
Ridges or bands on your nails could indicate a lack of selenium. New Zealand soils are naturally low in selenium so we can end up with a shortage in our diets. Fish and shellfish are a good source. If you take supplements – don’t overdo it.

Did you know?
During surgery, some anaesthetists will look at your nails. They’re not admiring your manicure – they’re double checking that you’re getting enough oxygen. If your fingernails appear blue or white, they know there’s a potential problem with oxygen getting through.

HAIR

Dull and lifeless hair
If you’re not well, your hair is likely to suffer – it can become dull and lifeless because you’re not getting enough nutrients. So the state of your hair can be an early warning sign that something is wrong. A lack of vitamin A can lead to limp, dull hair – add more eggs and dairy foods to your diet. Stress can also take its toll on your tresses. Try eating foods rich in B vitamins (oily fish, wholegrain cereals, peas, eggs and milk), as stress depletes your body (and your hair) of these.

But don’t forget that hair problems can also be due to overexposure to chemicals or heat from styling appliances. Let your hair dry naturally, or stop using products and dyes for a while to see if that makes a difference.

Hair loss
Losing your hair may indicate greater problems than issues with your hair or scalp – it may be a sign of a condition that is affecting your general health. Hair loss is quite common during and after pregnancy, as a result of hormonal fluctuations. It can also be due to anaemia and problems with your blood circulation.

Problems with your hair can be a clue that your thyroid isn’t working properly. If your thyroid is overactive, it can produce too much of the hormone thyroxine and this can cause your hair to fall out. An underactive thyroid can result in coarse, thinning hair. Stress can also contribute to hair loss and is believed to be one of the causes of alopecia, a hair-loss condition that can leave you with bald patches or even complete hair loss.