SKIN

Skin color change.
And we’re not talking sunburns. Whether it’s an oddly dark or abnormal hue, your body’s trying to tell you something. “A darker appearance in the skin can come from … the ‘mask of pregnancy,’ … which causes a darker complexion in pregnant women,” Kleinsmith says. Other serious changes to look out for are yellowish and blueish skin. A yellow tint could indicate a liver disorder, form of hepatitis or even cancer. Blueish skin indicates a serious circulation problem. Basically, get any color change checked out pronto.

Rash.
It’s always a bit disconcerting and, let’s be honest, pretty darn embarrassing when you notice any red outbreak on your body. But—embarrassed or not—if you notice a red, irritated area on your skin, you’ve gotta figure out what it is. And the only way to be sure is to have your doctor check it out, “Whether it is just to diagnose and treat poison ivy, insect bites (which could be the start of Lyme disease), a drug eruption, an allergic reaction, or a viral rash like Shingles,” Kleinsmith says. Not the type to run to the doctor’s office at the drop of a hat? Rashes that are a sign of more serious conditions, like Lyme disease or a virus, will persist beyond a few days (unlike, say, poison ivy) and may even lack pain or itchiness.