Sometimes a seemingly harmless sign you notice on your body – such a pale tongue or cracked lips, may be easily brushed aside as nothing to worry about.

However some of these signs could be early warning signals your body is sending you to indicate something more critical.

Here are 6 common signs on the body that you or your loved ones may observe.

If you’re experiencing any of the below symptoms, we recommend you check in with your doctor to find out if you’re suffering from something more serious.

It’s time to start listening to your body!

1. WHITISH TONGUE

A pale or whitish tongue may be caused by dehydration or poor oral hygiene.

So, if you notice this colour, chances are, you may not be drinking enough water or not cleaning your mouth and tongue properly.

In rare instances, it could be due to a weakened immune system. In those cases, the white coating comes from a fungal infection and may cause bleeding when removed.

2. DRY OR CRACKED LIPS

It’s not uncommon to experience dry lips from time to time. However, if you notice this happening more frequently than usual, it may be due to an allergic reaction (allergic cheilitis) or dehydration.

Some common allergens include cosmetics, metals, certain medications and food ingredients.

3. BRITTLE NAILS

Did you know that some cases of iron deficiency can cause nails to chip or crack easily? However, this is not as a common symptom and mainly occurs in severe cases.

In advanced stages of deficiency, the middle part of your nail may start to dip, with the edges raised, which results in a spoon-shaped appearance.

4. ACNE OUTBREAKS

Skin issues like acne outbreaks, eczema, hives, rashes and wrinkles are some possible examples of the effects of stress. Yes, that’s right!

Stress hormones can actually change the appearance of your skin, cause skin problems and aggravate existing ones.

5. HAIR LOSS

Dropping hair in small amounts is completely normal, but if you start shedding in big clumps, you may be suffering from stress or another underlying condition, such as iron deficiency.

When your body doesn’t have enough oxygen, your hair follicles go into a resting stage. You may start to experience heavy hair loss, and your hair won’t grow back until your iron levels go up.

6. GAS OR BLOATING

Although digestive problems are not a great topic for discussion, they are quite commonly experienced and equally neglected.

If you experience symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhoea, you may be suffering from a digestive intolerance. Common examples include lactose or gluten intolerance, or other issues with the foods you’ve consumed.

With lactose intolerance, sufferers already experience some of these symptoms just 30 minutes after consuming a dairy product.

To boost your immunity levels and avoid deficiencies, you can get nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals on our in-app wellness Marketplace!

Apart from supplements, we also offer a range of stress-relieving teas, body therapies and fitness packages to help manage stress and anxiety levels.