US president Donald Trump has sparked concerns for his health after observers became baffled and fascinated with the state of his hands during the heated G7 Summit.
Trump, 79, unleashed a wave of speculation after he left the summit in Kananaskis, Canada, early.
While the president left as the crisis between Israel and Iran grew more intense, some online were worried that his early exit may have had something to do with his health.
Their apparent evidence was the appearance of his hands at Kananaskis.
Photos taken at the event showed Trump with a significant discolouration on his hand and other images showed what appeared to be foundation used to cover it up.
One person said in response to a photo of the Republican’s hands: ‘What’s up with Trump’s hands???’
Another said: ‘Holy crap. That is some major [oedema] in Trump’s right hand. Compare it to the left side.’
People have long speculated over the cause of the discolouration.
Earlier this year, a White House official told MailOnline that it was bruising caused by Trump shaking hundreds of hands of people on the campaign trail and with his current duties. Those repeated interactions can take a toll.
The official said Trump greets as many people as possible. That explains why it was appeared in October, during the height of Trump’s campaign to retake the White House.
But some have alleged that it looks like a bruise left from an IV procedure.
Others asked if Trump, who became the oldest president to take the oath in January might be getting ‘dehydrated and given fluids’ or even struggling from a vitamin deficiency, without providing evidence.
Dr Jeff Foster, a men’s health specialist and the Medical Director of Manual, said: ‘It appears this bruise in question is reoccurring, having seen a similar bruise in August and November of last year, the most likely thought is this could well be bruising from a recent canula from the way it appears.
‘Of course as Donald Trump is nearly 80 years old, his skin is naturally thinner and weaker which happens as we age and therefore we bruise much more easily.
‘The White House representatives have suggested Donald’s bruise is from constantly shaking hands with people, however I would be concerned if this was indeed the case of blood thinning drugs or skin delicacy.’
Dr Ross Perry, the Medical Director of Cosmedics skin clinics, said: ‘There has been much speculation of Donald Trump’s declining health in recent month, and at 78 it is entirely natural that our skin bruises far quicker and easier when we are almost 80.
‘This is due to the skin becoming less flexible and thinner as it loses the fatty layer which cushions the blood vessels.
‘As Donald is a fan of tanning, exposure to the sun can also damage the skin making blood vessels easier to break.
‘He may also be taking medication such as anticoagulants or corticosteroids which can also can increase the risk of bruising.
‘When we age, a simple knock which may even be unnoticeable can result in a bruise, the same could be said for a over strong handshake.
‘In his case, I’d say far likely that it is a pure coincidence he’s had a simple knock on perhaps a car door, or a simple bang and purely just age related on the skin.’
