Patients experiencing diseases of the thyroid that involve auto-antibodies directed at the gland and those who experience hyperthyroidism (overactive gland) and hypothyroidism (under-active gland) can potentially develop disorders affecting the skin. There are, however, treatments that can reduce epidermal symptoms and in many cases, completely resolve them.
Hypothyroidism – Dry Skin
When a person develops hypothyroidism, meaning an under-functioning thyroid gland, there is not an adequate amount of thyroid hormone to sufficiently operate the organ and gland systems of the body. Everything in the body begins to slow down, including the sweat glands (sudoriferous) and oil glands (sebacious) that moisturize and lubricate the outside layers of the skin. This causes dryness of the skin, resulting in cracking and flaking and the need to use moisturizing lotions more often than they are normally needed.
Hyperthyroidism – Oily Skin
The opposite is true when hyperthyroidism develops. Over-production of thyroid hormone causes all bodily systems to begin operating at overdrive due to their being sped-up by an overactive thyroid gland. This results in the sweat glands and oil secreting glands under the skin, producing more of these moisturizing agents than are needed. The skin will become clammy and oily in some cases and blemishes may begin to develop. Some hyperthyroid patients may break out with cases of acne, meaning the blemishes are frequent and widespread on the face or other areas of the body.
Myxedema
Both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients can potentially develop “edema of the skin” (non-pitting swelling), a term referring to the increased deposit of components found normally in the deep tissues of the skin. These deposited skin components include:
- glycosaminoglycan
- hyaluronic acid
- mucopolysaccharides
These components are increased secondary to “lymphocytic infiltrate,” meaning white blood cells are responding to inflammation in the body, causing the increased skin deposits. The white blood cells involved in this response include:
- neutrophils
- lymphocytes
- monocytes
This inflammatory response can be due to thyroid hormone imbalance and/or “thyroid autoimmunity,” which is the attack by auto-antibody cells (thyroid antibodies) sent from the immune system, that mistakenly attack the thyroid gland. Thyroid related edema is referred to as “myxedema” and in hypothyroid patients can affect any area of the body but will often first be noticeable in the face. Hyperthyroid patients can experience myxedema in any area of their bodies as well but they will often experience it in their lower extremities, below the knees (feet and ankles), called “pretibial edema/myxedema” or “thyroid dermopathy.”
Thyroid Autoimmunity
Medical research studies have found that “chronic uticaria,” meaning frequent and/or severe flares of hives (prominent rash) can directly result from auto-antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. In this case, the hives may not fully respond to correction of thyroid hormone imbalances that may also be present.
Autoimmune thyroid diseases patients are also at higher risk for developing other autoimmune conditions/diseases of the skin which may include the following:
- Sjögren's Syndrome (chronic dryness)
- vitiligo (patches of loss in pigment)
- eczema (scaly, itchy, crusting or blistering)
- dermatitis herpetiformis (bumpy, blistery rash)
- psoriasis (redness and irritation)
Treatments
In many cases, skin conditions caused by thyroid diseases resolve once the associated thyroid hormone imbalance is corrected. Some cases may require additional treatments of other underlying autoimmune diseases or may require additional prescribed medications. These may include:
- topical hydrocortisone creams
- moisturizing lotions
- antihistamine drugs
A treating thyroid doctor may refer their patients with severe skin problems and those whose skin problems that do not respond well to thyroid treatments, to a dermatologist (skin specialist) for further treatment.
Symptoms affecting the skin often respond well when the associated thyroid disorder is well-treated. When these conditions do not respond well, however, there are additional treatments that can relieve symptoms and in some cases resolve the associated skin disorders. Anyone experiencing symptoms involving their epidermis should see their doctor for further evaluation because it may also reveal other underlying diseases or disorders in the body.
Sources:
U.S. National Institutes of Health (PubMed)
Thyroid Foundation of Canada
Jim Lowrance - James M. (Jim) Lowrance has authored over 100 book and ebook publications since year 2004.
