Medications can be helpful in relieving itching associated with liver disease.
Liver disease and itching are closely related; in fact, itching is a telltale sign of liver disease when it comes to generalized itching throughout the body, known as pruritus. Itching can also be associated with kidney failure and other systemic illnesses, but when people experience this symptom, yellowing eyes and skin, and abdominal pain, the likely cause is liver disease. Medications are available to control the problem to make liver disease patients more comfortable.
Irritation of the blood vessels is a sign of liver disease.
The precise mechanism behind the connection is not well understood. In healthy individuals, the liver acts as a filter, removing toxins and irritants from the bloodstream so they can be eliminated. People with liver disease cannot filter their blood efficiently, and some researchers have suggested that irritants can build up in the blood and settle on the skin. Another sign of liver disease is irritation of the blood vessels, leading to spider veins just under the skin, an indicator that the vessels are swollen due to something in the blood.
Various types of liver disease: fatty liver, fibrosis and cirrhosis.
It is also possible that liver disease and itching are associated as a result of the neuropathy. Blood irritants can damage nerves, causing them to send mixed or mixed signals to the brain. The nerves can read neutral or nonexistent sensations as itching; in this case, the patient’s skin is totally normal but still looks itchy.
The more advanced the liver disease, the more intense the itching can become. The organ becomes increasingly unable to filter effectively and toxins from the blood cannot be removed by other organs. People with liver disease can seriously injure themselves by scratching while trying to control itching. Some may try wearing gloves at night to prevent scratching while sleeping.
As a result of neuropathy or nerve damage, people with liver disease may feel itchy even though their skin is healthy.
Several things can be done to help control itchy skin caused by liver disease. Medications can ease the sensation, topical applications can soothe irritated skin, and patients can also experience guided meditation and imagery. If the underlying liver disease can be treated, this should make symptoms less severe, making the patient more comfortable and reducing the risk of complications such as infections caused by incessant scratching. Patients should be vigilant for changes in skin color and texture as these may indicate decreased liver function.
