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Thyroiditis and Its Effect on Skin

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid. This condition may be inherited or caused by a virus or bacteria. When the thyroid becomes inflamed, it causes an excessive amount of thyroxine (T4), the hormone made by the thyroid, to rush into the bloodstream. Excess thyroxine tells the thyroid to stop making the hormone. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is the result. An underactive thyroid causes every bodily function to slow down. Although some with hypothyroidism may have no symptoms, the disease can produce a variety of symptoms that affect the skin.

  1. Types of Thyroiditis

    • The most common type of thyroiditis is Hashimoto's Disease, an inherited condition. Subacute thyroiditis, also known as DeQuervain's thyroiditis, is caused by a viral infection and causes severe neck pain and fever. The third type is silent thyroiditis, where the thyroid is slightly enlarged and can go unnoticed. Postpartum thyroiditis, which occurs after a baby is born, is a form of silent thyroiditis. Acute thyroiditis produces symptoms such as a red, hot swollen neck and an ill feeling.

    Dry, Rough Skin

    • Dry, coarse skin can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid, or Hashimoto's Disease, named after the Japanese physician who identified it. The thyroid regulates the operation of the body and an underactive thyroid, for example, will inhibit the production of oils causing the skin to become very dry.

    Pale Skin

    • An underactive thyroid will cause metabolism to slow down. All bodily processes run more slowly, including blood circulation. The skin can become pale when blood circulation is slowed by an underactive thyroid.

    Jaundice

    • A yellow tinge to the skin, called jaundice, sometimes appears in infants with hypothyroidism. There are few signs of hypothyroidism in infants, so it is important to check for jaundice and look into any suspected illness.

    Red, Swollen Skin

    • Red, swollen skin is a sign of inflammation. A doctor usually will prescribe an antibiotic to kill the infection causing inflammation of the thyroid and aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce the inflammation.

    Yellow Bumps

    • Raised, yellowish bumps can appear in children whose hypothyroidism has gone undetected and reached an advanced state. The yellow bumps are an accumulation of cholesterol that has occurred because the slowed metabolism is not removing enough cholesterol from the blood. Children who suffered from untreated hypothyroidism can be short, appear bloated and may have a below-average intelligence.

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