Could Your Nose Be Warning You of Serious Health Problems ?

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You've probably noticed that your nose never appears in your field of vision. Actually, it's not that your eye can't see it, but that our brain, for reasons of efficiency and depth perception,< strong>chooses not to give us a conscious representation of it. This neural sleight of hand, called “unconscious selective attention”, allows our brain to ignore this appendage, which is nevertheless very prominent.

However, our nose, far from being a simple facial ornament, our nose could well play the role of lookout, alerting us to unsuspected health problems.

The nose, this great forgotten part of our face

Our brain, in its great wisdom, has decided to relegate our nose to the rank of simple visual tapestry. A neurological feat that prevents us from constantly seeing this protuberance in the middle of our field of vision. But make no mistake, all you have to do is close one eye or squint slightly and this “ghost” will magically reappear.

To highlight this phenomenon, you can try a fun little experiment. Look in a mirror while focusing on the tip of your nose. You may notice that your brain is struggling to keep it in focus, as it tries to make it disappear.

Although our gray matter is constantly obscuring our nasal appendage, it nevertheless deserves our full attention. Like a mirror of our health, it can reveal much more than just skin imperfections.

When the nose sounds the alarm

Acne, this scourge of adolescence (and sometimes beyond, unfortunately), particularly likes the nose. Blackheads and whiteheads take up residence there, sometimes transforming our protuberance into a real dermatological battlefield. But beyond these aesthetic inconveniences, acne can be the harbinger of hormonal imbalances or digestive problems.

More insidious, rosacea (also known as couperose) comes to tint the nose and cheeks a characteristic red. This skin inflammation, although benign, is not to be taken lightly. It may well be the visible face of deeper ailments, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or even rheumatoid arthritis.

In some cases, rosacea can even cause thickening of the skin on the nose, a condition called rhinophyma. Beyond the aesthetic impact, this nasal transformation can be a reflection of a more global disorder of the body. In the most severe cases, rhinophyma can obstruct the nasal passages and cause breathing difficulties.

The nose, revealing hidden diseases

But the nose does not stop there in its health alert mission. Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that primarily attacks the lungs, can leave visible marks on the tip of our noses. Blue or purple spots, called lupus pernio, can appear there, sounding the alarm of systemic inflammation.

Lupus, the autoimmune disease sometimes nicknamed ” the great imitator ” is also affected. Why this name ? Because it is complex and difficult to diagnose, because its symptoms can mimic those of other diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma or other infectious diseases) often making diagnosis complicated.

Lupus frequently manifests itself as a “butterfly rash” (a rash that causes symmetrical redness on the cheeks, forming a pattern reminiscent of the wings of a butterfly) extending over the cheeks and the nasal bridge, the bony and cartilaginous part located in the center of the face, between the two eyes.

Finally, trigeminal trophic syndrome, a rare neurological condition, can cause ulcers around the nostrils. An outward manifestation of internal damage to the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial sensitivity and the sneeze reflex.

As you may have read, the nose is not just a decoration, but is also a little dashboard of our health. So, the next time you look in the mirror, take the time to observe it; he might have something to tell you about your physical condition.

• Our brains usually block out our nose from our field of vision, but this organ can reveal important health problems.
• Various skin conditions on the nose, such as acne, rosacea, or specific rashes, can be indicators of more serious medical conditions.
• Systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis, lupus, or trigeminal trophic syndrome can manifest with visible symptoms on the nose.

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