Health tips: What your face tells you about your health

*A permanent flushed rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks may be a sign of lupus, a lifelong autoimmune condition which, among other things, causes joint and muscle pain and extreme fatigue. But not everybody gets the so-called 'butterfly' rash.

:: What should I do? Lupus often goes undiagnosed for years, due to lack of awareness and because symptoms can be misleading. If you're concerned, speak to your GP and explain all the things you're experiencing.

*Every woman has facial hair to some degree, but if this hair is excessive (known as hirsutism), most commonly affecting the upper lip/chin/sideburn area, it could be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder (meaning it concerns hormones) which leads to a variety of symptoms and can affect fertility - irregular or absent periods are a key symptom.

:: What should I do? PCOS is linked to long-term health risks like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, so if a woman has two or more of symptoms such as acne, male pattern hair loss, irregular period cycles and weight gain, she should see her GP.

*Dark patches or hyperpigmentation is rarely a sign of illness, but in some cases, it could be linked with Addison's disease - a condition involving the adrenal glands, which also causes fatigue, weight loss, sickness, joint pain and low blood pressure.

:: What should I do? If you are concerned, speak to your GP; and any unusual changes in moles and freckles should always be checked. In most cases, dark patches are not a health concern, but if they're causing distress or affecting your self-esteem, speaking to a dermatologist for advice could be really helpful.

*Rosacea is a skin disorder which can have a big impact. Though not every case is the same, symptoms include spots, thickening of the skin, sore, dry eyes and a rash-like flushing/redness. Facial redness can also occur due to long-term sun exposure, mild eczema, dermatitis and scarring, or spontaneously with no underlying cause/problem.

:: What should I do? If you're suffering from acne rosacea, speak to your GP or see a dermatologist; treatments and advice can make a big difference. If permanent redness with no underlying cause is still causing distress, there may be things, like laser treatment or camouflage products, which could help.

*Some people's eyes are naturally more bulbous, but if your eyes have started to protrude more than usual, and are bulging out of your eye sockets, it could be a sign of illness such as Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder and the most common form of overactive thyroid. Eyes may also become inflamed and painful, with possible double vision and increased sensitivity to light, too. Other symptoms of Graves include anxiety, weight loss, palpitations, hand tremor, frequent bowel movements and an enlarged thyroid gland (where the front of the throat/neck bulges out).

:: What should I do? Get things checked with your doctor so, if necessary, you can be referred for appropriate tests and treatment. If you're experiencing other symptoms that may indicate thyroid imbalance, writing everything down in a diary might help build up a clearer picture.