Not many of us relate the outer glow of our complexion to our liver health. But the truth is there is tremendous importance of the liver function to our appearance. The liver is the metabolic factory of the human body, producing energy to sustain the thousands of functions performed every minute by all of the body’s cell. If you persistent spots of red, dry, itchy skin that will not go away it might be cirrhosis skin rash. Read through to find out skin problems caused by liver and how to treat them.
What is Cirrhosis skin rash?
Liver disease skin rash
Cirrhosis affects your liver the most; however, it can cause problems with other body parts, too, inclusive of skin. Swelling, rashes and itchy patches may be the first symptoms you notice of this disease.
Most people who have been infected with Cirrhosis virus go for a long time before they know it. That is because there are no early signs. However, if you notice changes on your skin, that may be a possible sign that a virus has already destroyed your liver. If you identify any of the following skin conditions, visit a doctor.
Liver cirrhosis can result in scarring in the liver and further lead to issues such as liver failure. If Cirrhosis affects the skin, it changes and starts developing bumps or irritation. However, it may change in different issue over time. Rashes are relatively common in people with Cirrhosis. The kind and severity of the rash may vary, and people who have chronic Cirrhosis may be more vulnerable to rashes. Thus, if you notice any sudden changes in your skin see a doctor for a full diagnosis.
Skin problems related to liver disease
Cirrhosis skin rash may result in the following skin problems.
Hives skin disease
Hives typically appear as red, swollen and itchy blotches of skin that may look like bug bites. Hives may also spread across the body, causing redness, swelling, and itchiness. The skin condition might last for a few hours at a time and then fade, and come back in the future. If the rash is as a result of Cirrhosis, the individual is also likely to experience other signs, such as joint pain and abdominal pain. Bruises are also expected to appear.
Lichen planus disease related to a liver problem
People who have chronic Cirrhosis are more likely to develop lichen planus. An individual might develop lichen planus in their mouth or on their scalp, genitals, or other regions of their body. Lichen planus appears as growths or scaly swellings that have a flat surface. The affected area of the skin typically has a reddish-purple appearance, and sometimes the lesions have white regions in them. It is easy to mistaken lichen planus for other skin conditions, such as eczema, specifically if it develops on hands or wrists.
Liver disease can result to blood spot
Blood spots, medically known as Purpura, is a rash of reddish to purple blotches on the skin that develops when red blood cells leak out of a broken blood vessel and accumulate in the skin. The blotches may vary in size from small dots to bigger patches. It is worth noting that the spots do not change the color when pressure is applied over them.
Note that blood spot on the skin could also be a sign that there are blood spots on the deeper tissues or organs. The condition might also have links to other skin diseases related to liver cirrhosis, such as swelling of the blood vessels, or ulcers that itch and hurt. Physicians may commend medications if these patches appear because of Cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis may cause blood spot because of abnormal proteins in the blood. When this happens, it affects the large and small blood vessels, resulting in swelling, skin rashes, and pain.
Easy bleeding and bruising is a potential sign of liver cirrhosis; the liver makes the things that help your blood clot. When the liver is damaged, it cannot make enough. Such a person starts to bleed easily and have trouble stopping it.
Liver disease can cause jaundice
Jaundice is mostly associated with liver damage. When someone develops jaundice, the skin and the white part of the eyes change to yellow. This is as a result of too much bilirubin produced by the body. Bilirubin is a bright yellow substance produced when red blood is destroyed. Typically, the liver generates bilirubin and removes it from the body with the feces.
But when an individual has destroyed the liver, such as in the case of Cirrhosis, the body has more difficulty in processing and eliminating bilirubin. This leads to bilirubin buildup and results in changes in skin color.
Other skin problems resulting from liver disease
- Inflammation of the face or hands can also be a potential sign of a liver problem.
- Feeling itchy could be a potential sign of liver cirrhosis. The toxins that build up in your blood and result in jaundice can also make you itch. The itch is commonly felt in hands and feet. Some individuals say that it feels like their organs itch. Treatment for Liver Cirrhosis can also make the skin dry, itchy skin, too.
- The fragile skin and painful blisters in regions exposed to ultraviolet light. The skin may also become darker or lighter, and people may grow excess hair.
- Development of skin resembling psoriasis or other skin conditions to appear.
- Liver disease can make the skin of the fingers, toes, nose, or ears to turn pale or blue. It may also make the eyes and mouth dry.
Liver Disease Symptom
Over time, damage to the liver can result in scarring (Cirrhosis), which can result in liver failure, which is a life-threatening condition. The following are the common signs of liver disease:
- Having an itchy skin
- Dark urine color
- Bumps in legs and ankles
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish
- Having abdominal pain and swelling
- Pale stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool
- Chronic fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting or nausea
- If you tend to develop bruises easily
- Skin rashes as a sign of chronic liver disease
Sometimes, acute liver Cirrhosis can become a chronic infection. As the liver keeps on to be destroyed due to chronic Cirrhosis, symptoms of liver failure begin to show on the skin. Such symptoms include:
- Dark, discolored spots of skin
- Spider-like veins
- Extremely dry or red skin
- Severe itching, especially in one area
- Inflammation in the lower limbs from fluid buildup
- Swollen abdominal cavity full of fluid
Other symptoms of liver disease may be inclusive of abdominal pain and excessive bumps. Such signs require medical attention. The person may need a liver transplant based on the extent of the damage.
Cirrhosis skin rash resulting from treatment
It is also viable for a person to develop a rash from Liver Cirrhosis treatment. Researches reveal that some people develop severe skin conditions as a result of drugs. People who inject their medications may develop rashes. They appear near the injection point and spread from that area. In such circumstances, a person may apply an ice pack or use an over-the-counter cream to minimize the irritation. It is crucial to see a physician if you experience a severe reaction from medication.
Similarly, where rash signs come and go, someone can use topical ointments to cure the reaction and alleviate symptoms. People who experience chronic persistent skin issues may need more in-depth treatment. These rashes might become severe because the virus is resulting in them is long-lasting too. If a rash forms as a result of specific medication, doctors might recommend switching treatments.
Who is at risk of getting cirrhosis skin rash disease?
People exposed to the following factors have high chances of getting Cirrhosis skin rash:
- Heavy alcohol use
- Exposure to other people’s blood and blood fluids
- People who have diabetes have higher chances of developing a cirrhosis skin rash
- Injecting drugs using shared needles makes one vulnerable to cirrhosis skin rash
- People with tattoos or body piercings are more likely to be infected with a skin rash of Cirrhosis
- Obesity increases the chance of liver disease eventually resulting in skin rash
Can liver disease cause itchy skin?
Liver rash skin disease
Liver disease can cause chronic itching. The medical term for skin itchiness is Pruritus. Skin itchiness is a common sign of Liver Cirrhosis. One may feel any itchy feeling without a visible rash or another symptom as to why they are itching. This sensation can be persistent and can be irritating. Scratching pruritus may result in the injury of the skin, resulting in other irritations or possible bleeding.
Liver rash treatment
Liver itching can be treated through self-treating or medical interventions. The leading self-help measures include:
- Stop smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding narcotic drinks; not regularly drink more than fourteen units of alcohol in a week.
- Avoid certain medications- The damage to the liver can affect its ability to generate certain medications. Thus you need to avoid various medicines, for example, aspirin and ibuprofen. Ask your physician about any medications you should stop using, and inform your doctor if you have liver Cirrhosis.
Medical treatment of Liver rash
Cholestyramine is the most common medicine used to treat itchiness associated with liver cirrhosis. The medication usually come in sachets of a powder that can dissolve in water or juice. It is advisable to take the powder with a fruit juice because it has an unpleasant taste.
One may use cholestyramine for several weeks before the itchiness improve. One of the common side effects of using cholestyramine is constipation. Even though this usually improves once the body gets used to the medicine. Other side effects include bloating and diarrhea.
Note that if you are using cholestyramine for a long time, it might affect your body ability to take in vitamins A, D and K from food substances. In such cases, consuming extra vitamin supplements might be beneficial. The doctor will advise you if you need to take vitamins supplements.
Alternative treatments to liver rash
Visit a doctor if your itchiness does not improve after using cholestyramine. There are alternative medicines available, such as antibiotic known as rifampicin and a medication called naltrexone. These medications are only prescribed by the specialist that treats liver cirrhosis such as a liver specialist. Daily use of moisturizers to stop the skin from becoming dry can also help minimize the itchiness.
Liver transplant for Cirrhosis treatment
A liver transplant might be commended if your liver is damaged and could out your life at risk. A liver transplant planning frequently starts before critical damage to the liver has been done.
The moderate waiting time transplant is 145 days. Thus it is essential your doctor considers the evaluation and listing for transplantation as early as possible. If your general health is good, then you have better chances of a successful transplant. Thus an operation should be carried out when a person is still relatively healthy.
A liver transplant will treat itchiness and other signs, but you may still be fatigued. Similar to other organ transplants, liver transplants come with the risk of difficulties. The immune system may repudiate a donated liver, which could be life-threatening. Medicines that boost the immune system are very effective at controlling this, but they require to be taken for life to reduce the risk.
There is a threat of Liver Cirrhosis developing in your new liver, but this is not usually the main concern because it typically takes a long time to develop.
