In the 'Symptoms - Skin - General' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about your skin color prior to suntan:
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What is your skin color prior to suntan, compared to others of your race, or family members?
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
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"Significantly lighter/paler" |
Lighter/paler skin color |
A symptom |
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"A little lighter/paler" |
Lighter/paler skin color |
A symptom |
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"Average / don't know" |
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| 4. |
"A little darker/redder" |
Darker/redder skin color |
A symptom |
| 5. |
"Significantly darker/redder" |
Darker/redder skin color |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
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| Answers |
Condition |
Comment |
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Anemia (Iron deficiency) |
When the level of oxygen-carrying red blood cells drops, the body must adapt to lower levels of oxygen. By drawing blood away from organs that can function with less oxygen, the body can supply the two most important organs, the brain and the heart, with enough oxygen to survive. Because skin is one of the first major organs to sacrifice blood supply, anemic patients are characteristically pale. |
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Anemia (Uncommon Nutritional) |
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Ayurvedic Dosha - Kapha Dominance |
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5 |
Ayurvedic Dosha - Pitta Dominance |
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Ayurvedic Dosha - Vata Dominance |
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Hemochromatosis (Iron overload) |
Excessive skin pigmentation (bronzing) is present in more than 90% of symptomatic patients at the time of diagnosis. Deposition of iron within the skin causes inflammation and enhances melanin production by melanocytes. Patients usually notice a generalized increased pigmentation and occasionally notice that they tan very easily. This is due to ultraviolet light exposure and iron acting synergistically to induce skin pigmentation. Fair-skinned persons, who usually tan poorly, may never develop hyperpigmentation despite large iron burdens. Ethnically dark-complexioned patients (for example, people of Mediterranean descent) can develop a striking almond-colored hue. With particularly heavy iron overload, visible iron deposits sometimes appear in the skin as a grayish discoloration. |
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Hemolytic Anemia |
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Kidney Disease |
Pale skin is a possible symptom of kidney disease. |
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Low Adrenal Function / Adrenal Insufficiency |
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Melanoma |
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Pyroluria |
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Vitamin B12 Requirement |
Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. |
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Zinc Requirement |
Darkening of the skin all over the body is a symptom of zinc deficiency. |
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GLOSSARY
Cobalamin (B12, B-12, Cobalamine, Vitamin B12)
Essential for normal growth and functioning of all body cells, especially those of bone marrow (red blood cell formation), gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, it prevents pernicious anemia and plays a crucial part in the reproduction of every cell of the body i.e. synthesis of genetic material (DNA).
Iron
An essential mineral. Prevents anemia: as a constituent of hemoglobin, transports oxygen throughout the body. Virtually all of the oxygen used by cells in the life process are brought to the cells by the hemoglobin of red blood cells. Iron is a small but most vital, component of the hemoglobin in 20,000 billion red blood cells, of which 115 million are formed every minute. Heme iron (from meat) is absorbed 10 times more readily than the ferrous or ferric form.
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Melanin
A dark pigment produced in the skin. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin, and melanin production increases in response to sunlight, causing the skin to become darker.
Red Blood Cell (Erythrocyte, Erythrocytes, RBC, Red Blood Cells)
Any of the hemoglobin-containing cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and are responsible for the red color of blood.
Zinc
An essential trace mineral. The functions of zinc are enzymatic. There are over 70 metalloenzymes known to require zinc for their functions. The main biochemicals in which zinc has been found to be necessary include: enzymes and enzymatic function, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Zinc is necessary for the proper metabolism of alcohol, to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in working muscles and to transfer it to the lungs. Zinc is involved in the health of the immune system, assists vitamin A utilization and is involved in the formation of bone and teeth.
Last updated: Feb 28, 2008
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