If you're like most people, you probably already know that certain skin changes may be indicators of more serious conditions. For instance, discoloration or enlargement of moles are sometimes a sign of cancer. However, there are many skin conditions that may point to serious illnesses that many people are not aware of. Following are three of them.

Butterfly Rash

A butterfly rash that occurs on both sides of your nose while spanning its bridge may be the first physical symptom of lupus. However, it could also be caused by something as simple as coming into contact with skin irritants. If you wear glasses, for instance, you may experience butterfly rash because your skin is allergic to something in the frame of your glasses. Rosacea, a relatively benign type of skin disorder that has no underlying cause, can also manifest itself as a butterfly rash.

Itching Skin

Itchy patches of skin maybe caused by Type II diabetes, so be sure to ask your primary healthcare provider to perform a blood sugar test if you experience this condition often and don't know why. Keep in mind, that just because you have itchy patches of skin, it doesn't necessarily mean you have diabetes — a number of other causes could be involved from grooming products, animal allergies, and laundry detergent residue. But if you haven't changed laundry detergents, soap, or grooming products or brought a domestic pet into your home recently, definitely make an appointment for a blood sugar test. Other types of skin disorders associated with Type II diabetes include fungal conditions such as yeast infections and athletes foot, brown scaly patches usually occurring on the front of the legs, and bacterial infections around the fingernails and eyes as well as in hair follicles.

Rashes on Feet and Lower Legs

Unusual rashes on your feet and lower leg areas may be a sign that you're suffering from Hepatitis C, particularly if the condition does not respond to the use of anti-fungal or topical steroid medication. Be particularly aware of accompanying symptoms such as aches in the joints and muscles and fever. Also, remember that this type of rash may be the result of something far less serious like an allergy to materials used in a new pair of socks or shoes.

Please feel free to reach out to your dermatologist for more information on what your skin can tell you about what's going with your health.