Can liver disease cause itchy skin?
Jul 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
Liver disease can cause pruritus (skin itching), and the nature of the itching varies depending on the type of liver disease. Bilirubin is the primary pigment in bile, and the liver secretes bile to facilitate fat digestion. In patients with liver disease, abnormalities in bile secretion and metabolism occur, leading to cholestasis (bile accumulation), which stimulates nerve endings and thereby induces skin itching.
Liver disease refers to pathological conditions affecting the liver, including hepatitis B, hepatitis A, hepatitis C, cirrhosis, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), hepatocellular carcinoma, and alcoholic liver disease, among others. In China, viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common types of liver disease. Many patients wonder: Can liver disease cause skin itching? The details are as follows:
Yes, liver disease can indeed cause pruritus (skin itching); however, the nature and severity of itching may vary depending on the specific type of liver disease.
Bilirubin is the primary pigment in bile, which the liver secretes to facilitate fat digestion. In patients with liver disease, abnormal bile secretion and metabolism lead to cholestasis (bile accumulation), which irritates cutaneous nerve endings and thereby triggers pruritus.
The liver functions as a major detoxifying organ. During hepatic inflammation or injury, glycogen synthesis gradually declines, potentially resulting in postprandial hyperglycemia. Elevated blood glucose levels can similarly stimulate cutaneous nerve endings, contributing to pruritus.
Moreover, it is important to note that hepatic inflammation and injury impair glucose regulation. Specifically, the liver’s ability to degrade insulin diminishes, leading to progressive insulin accumulation. This causes hypoglycemia—characterized not only by skin itching but also by symptoms associated with low blood sugar.
