What do liver palms look like in patients with cirrhosis?
Disease description:
Recently, the palms of my hands have turned red, and I’m worried this might be due to liver cirrhosis. What does “liver palms” (palmar erythema), a sign associated with liver cirrhosis, look like?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Hepatic palmar erythema—a common manifestation of liver cirrhosis—typically presents as reddening confined to the thenar (thumb) and hypothenar (little finger) eminences of the palms. The redness is usually deep red and may be accompanied by red spots or patches. Pressing on the affected area results in transient blanching. In cirrhosis, impaired hepatic metabolism may lead to inadequate inactivation of circulating estrogen. Accumulation of excess estrogen can cause localized capillary dilation and hyperemia, thereby producing hepatic palmar erythema.
