When it comes to common health concerns like cancer, diabetes, and herpes, many people know about the symptoms that occur internally. However, not many are aware that these diseases can have visible indicators on the skin and nails as well.

If you notice any of the following skin and nail signs, it is important to consult with your doctor as soon as possible:.

Skin Changes Indicating Cancer

1. A new or changing mole

If you have a mole that is changing in size, shape, or color, it could be a sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.

2. A sore that won’t heal

If you have a sore that isn’t healing or seems to be getting worse, it could be a sign of non-melanoma skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

3. Jaundice

If your skin and/or the whites of your eyes appear yellow, it could be a sign of liver cancer or bile duct cancer.

4. Red, scaly patches or crusted areas

These could indicate actinic keratosis, which is a precursor to some types of skin cancer.

5. A flesh-colored or pink bump that’s shiny or pearly

This could be a sign of basal cell carcinoma.

6. Red or white bumps with scaly patches

These could indicate squamous cell carcinoma.

Skin Changes Indicating Diabetes

7. Acanthosis nigricans

This is a condition where the skin in certain parts of your body, such as your neck or armpits, appears dark and thick. It’s a sign of insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes.

8. Diabetic dermopathy

This is a condition where small, round, brown or red scaly patches appear on the skin. It’s a common sign of diabetes.

9. Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum

This is a rare condition where the skin on the lower legs appears shiny and smooth, with red or brown patches. It’s more common in women than men with diabetes.

10. Diabetic blisters

These are rare, but when they occur, they are typically on the fingers, hands, toes, and feet. They are a sign of diabetes that is poorly controlled.

11. Digital sclerosis

This is a condition where the skin on the fingers and hands appears thick and waxy. It’s a sign of diabetes that is not well-controlled.

Skin Changes Indicating Herpes

12. Cold sores

Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus. They typically appear on or around the lips.

13. Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause sores or blisters on the genitals or anus.

14. Whitlow

If you have herpes on your fingers, it’s called whitlow. It can be extremely painful and can cause sores and blisters on your fingers or toes.

15. Herpetic sycosis

This is a condition where the herpes simplex virus infects hair follicles. It typically occurs on the beard area in men.

16. Mollaret’s meningitis

This is a rare type of meningitis that is caused by the herpes simplex virus. It typically comes and goes and is characterized by fever, severe headaches, and neck stiffness.