Credits: Social Media
Dermatologist breaks down 7 signs of liver damage that appear on the skin
Although critical illnesses are diagnosed with medical screenings and tests, the human body starts to show signs when unwell which you shouldn’t take lightly.
Something as common as dark circles is caused by iron deficiency, while joint pain is observed in people low on vitamin C. A dermatologist lists 7 changes in the skin caused by a damaged liver.
7 signs of liver damage that show on the skin
The liver performs several functions – it produces nutrients, creates bile, filters the blood, and more. The important organ can become seriously damaged due to excessive alcohol drinking or can be affected by certain medications you take; more factors come into play.
Therefore, knowing the obvious symptoms of liver damage is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Dr. Andrea Suarez lists different signs you should pay close attention to that mostly show on the skin:
1. Red palms
Palmer erythema is one of the signs of liver damage and it makes your palm look red. It is more evident on the edges and fingertips; the redness goes away when you touch the area only to reappear when the pressure is released. This is caused due to poor blood circulation and altering estrogen levels.
2. Rash that looks like a spider
Spider angioma causes a rash on your skin that appears like a spider web. There’s a very large blood vessel and tiny little vessels spreading from it.
Although it is one of the signs of liver damage, Spider angioma can also appear in perfectly healthy humans when the skin suffers damage or can appear during pregnancy due to changing estrogen.
3. Red or blue bumps on the lip/neck
Known as arteriovenous hemangioma, the little red or blue protrusions appear on the lips and neck. The dermatologist describes them as “tumors of blood vessels.” Their appearance decreases when the liver disease is treated.
4. Paper money sign
People whose skin shows fine lines resembling the threads that go through a bill could be suffering from a damaged liver.
5. Caput Medusae
Irregular blood circulation due to liver damage causes the varicose veins on the abdomen to look like the mythological character Medusa’s hair.
6 . Jaundice
The yellow discoloration of the eyeball is due to the accumulation of Billy Reuben and “it’s seen in patients whose liver has been damaged to the point where the Billy Reuben level rises to 2mg per deciliter,” says Dr. Andrea.
7. Itchy skin
Having a damaged liver can leave the skin on the arms and legs feeling itchy, which can be persistent or come and go.
The dermatologist explains: “The itch of the liver disease often leads to very itchy palms and soles of the feet.” This can be caused by an increase in the body’s opioid bile salts as well as progesterone metabolites.
Dr. Andrea Suarez graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2011. She has gained popularity over the years for her content related to all things skincare on social media. The dermatologist boasts over 12 years of experience.
- HEALTH IS WEALTH: Belly fat is a bigger risk factor for heart disease than general obesity
