Changes in the skin may indicate liver disease

15:44 - 12.07.2018


Skin health depends on the health of the liver, which plays an important "cleansing" role in the body. Thus, the liver, neutralizing toxins and toxic substances, removes them from the body. If the liver is damaged, the toxic substances growing in the body begin to have a harmful effect on the body and primarily affect the skin and mucous membranes. 
 

Itching associated with cholestasis 
Cholestasis means stagnation of bile, in which the number of bile acids in the blood increases. Itching appears on the hands, feet and the whole body. Itching can be paroxysmal and short–term, and in some cases - on the contrary, long and unbearable.  
 

Spider veins 
These asterisks on the skin may have size of 0.1-0.5 cm. They are usually observed in the form of dark red dilated vessels on the hands, face, back and shoulders.  These signs are of great importance in the diagnosis of liver diseases. 
 

Jaundice
The yellowish color of the skin and mucous membrane appears due to the growth of bilirubin in the blood. First, the mucous membrane of the mouth and eye sclera turns yellow, and then the skin of the hands, feet and other areas do.  
 

Changes in your tongue 
In case of chronic liver diseases, there is swelling of the tongue, and its surface becomes bright red. If the color of the tongue becomes dark red or purple, this may already indicate liver failure.  
 

Erythema on the palms 
It can be said that it occurs in case of all chronic liver diseases. When you click on the area of erythema redness disappears, but just as quickly returns. 
 

Pigmentation disorders of the skin 
Almost all patients suffering from chronic liver disease have pigment spots on their skin. The area of hands, in particular, palms, and also the area of armpits get dirty gray or marble shade. On the face, pigment spots spread along the edges of cheeks towards the neck. 
 

Allergic dermatitis 
It may occur as a sign of liver damage. In such cases red spots or rashes on the skin may appear.

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