Symptoms of fatty liver on your skin, and how to fix it 

With sedentary lifestyles, poor diets and obesity, fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) are on the rise. Although it mainly affects the liver, external symptoms often appear long before internal symptoms are evident.

Says Dr Navin Sharma, Gastroenterologist, Felix Healthcare, Hyderabad, "It is important to understand these signals in early stage to prevent liver damage which can help the body get back to a healthy state again."

Symptoms of Fatty Liver and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver diseases

• Yellowish Skin (Jaundice)

The yellow colour in the skin and the white of the eyes indicates the accumulation of bilirubin, a waste product that the liver does not manage to eliminate efficiently. “Jaundice can make fatty liver more serious than just liver inflammation or damage. It’s not to be ignored,” says Dr Sharma.

Also read | Fatty liver disease in young adults: Symptoms, causes, preventive measures to keep in mind

Tip: Seek immediate medical attention. Improve your diet and ensure you get more antioxidants.  Alcohol is strictly prohibited for anyone who has liver issues.

• Itchy Skin (Pruritus)

Itching without a rash can indicate that bile acids are being deposited in the bloodstream (this can be common with fatty liver).

Tip: Drink more water and ask your doctor about liver function tests.

• Dark Patches (Acanthosis Nigricans)

It is also characterised by the presence of dark, velvety patches of skin, usually found on the neck or in the armpits, and may be associated with insulin resistance, which is one of the underlying causes of fatty liver.

Tip: Follow a low-sugar, high-fibre diet, and exercise for a minimum of at least 30 minutes to improve inflammation level and insulin sensitivity.

Also read | Add these 10 liver-friendly foods to your daily diet to fight fatty liver disease

• Spider Veins on Skin

If you see tiny, web-like red or purple veins on the chest, face, or legs, it is a symptom of liver damage. Spider angiomas are commonly found in liver dysfunction and they tell you that your estrogen metabolism sucks because your liver is not functioning well.

Tip: Reduce alcohol, processed food, and regular liver check-up.

• Easy Bruising or Bleeding

If you get bruises very easily, it may be due to a shortage of clotting proteins, normally formed by the liver.

Tip: Add leafy greens high in vitamin K, reduce useless drugs, and seek medical advice about the liver enzyme and platelet level.

• Red Palms (Palmar Erythema)

The red discolouration on the palms may reflect changes in hormone levels from functional impairment of liver.

Tip: Include turmeric and garlic in your daily diet, drink more green tea. Avoid sugar, fried snacks and inflammatory foods.

Also read | Cure for fatty liver disease: Add avocados, olive oil and garlic to your daily diet

• Dry and Flaky Skin

Dysfunction of the liver can alter fat metabolism and absorption, resulting in dry, cracking skin.

Tip: Include healthy fats in your daily diet. Nuts, seeds and avocado are high in healthy fats. Keep yourself hydrated, and add Omega-3 and other supplements in your diet.

• Puffy Face or Swollen Under-Eyes

Liver inflammation can lead to puffiness or swelling under eyes.

Tip: Limit sodium consumption, sleep well, drink herbal teas such as dandelion or milk thistle to assist liver detoxification.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.