Itchy skin. One of the most common signs of liver problems is itchy skin. It is a problem that is often not taken seriously unless a rash appears. Itchy skin is often a sign of gallstones, bile duct cancer or pancreatic cancer – CLININF. When itching is caused by liver problems, rashes are usually not present, but excessive scratching can cause further skin irritation, redness and even infection.
Small spider-shaped capillaries
If you notice small spider-shaped capillaries appearing under the skin on the legs or face, you should also think of liver disease. Usually this condition is caused by higher levels of oestrogen, which indicates that the liver is not working properly. These skin changes are more common in people with cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcohol or another risk factor for liver disease.
Frequent bruising and bleeding
- Frequent bleeding or bruising from injuries is a clear sign of liver problems. This may be due to a deficiency of specific proteins that are essential for blood clotting. This is most often due to a malfunction in hormone metabolism.
- Abnormalities in blood clotting are caused by blood pooling under the skin, causing bruising that is visible on the skin. Bruises come in a variety of colours, from black, blue, purple to brownish, which can tell when a bruise has occurred.
When we talk about chronic liver disease, we can also recognise it by swelling of the feet or shins. These are caused by fluid accumulation or imbalance of fluids in the body resulting from improper functioning of the liver.
Fluid can also build up in the abdomen, causing abdominal distension. This is particularly common in thin people who have a large abdomen. Swelling of the limbs is a symptom that occurs only in the last stage of liver disease, so you should react quickly to it.
Sleep disturbances. Insomnia is also one of the more common signs of liver problems, especially for people with cirrhosis of the liver. They often complain of sleep disturbances, especially daytime sleepiness and insomnia at night. People with cirrhosis of the liver are typically more likely to have obstructive sleep apnoea. Compared to healthy people, they are four times more likely to develop it.
Yellow skin or eyes. One of the by-products when your body breaks down old blood cells is the yellowish compound bilirubin. A healthy liver has no problem removing bilirubin from the body, but a diseased liver has more difficulty breaking it down. This is why it starts to build up in the skin and eyes.
This results in yellowish skin and eyes, which is recognised as jaundice. Add to this dark urine and this is a serious enough sign of liver problems to warrant a visit to the doctor.
Red palms. About a quarter of people with cirrhosis of the liver develop redness of the skin on the palms of the hands. This phenomenon is known as palmar erythema, which is caused by abnormal levels of hormones in the blood.
It is worth noting that redness of the palms can be quite normal if it disappears within a few days. Although red palms are not painful or bothersome, if the problem persists for a few days, it can be a serious sign to see a doctor.
Why is vitamin C so important? The winter months call for vitamin C, which people sometimes think of as a kind of cure-all. After all, there have been various theories about the link between vitamin C and the corona virus. And so, in addition to the many proven benefits, there are also many proverbial benefits and stories circulating about vitamin C