Skin Color Changes Due to Liver Problems

A primary symptom of liver disease is referred to as jaundice, when the skin turns an orange or pale yellow color. The whites of the eyes can also be afflicted with this discoloration.

Jaundice

There are several ways the liver can be damaged that lead to jaundice. Blockage of the bile ducts, acute hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease are a few.

Process

When the liver is damaged or not functioning properly, it no longer processes old blood in the production of bile. As red blood cells break down, hemoglobin should be changed into bilirubin and disposed of by the liver.

Features

As bilirubin, which has a yellowish color to it, builds up in the blood stream, it causes the skin to adopt a similar hue.

Identification

Skin color can fluctuate along with the level of bilirubin in the blood. Moderate levels cause the pale yellow color. As levels go up, it can shift to brown. Jaundice itself is not a disease, merely a symptom of malfunctioning liver process.

Warning

As a symptom, jaundice itself is not contagious. Generally, neither is the underlying liver condition unless it is caused by hepatitis, which can be infectious.

References

• Liver Disease Symptoms
• University of Virginia Health System
• Home Remedies

Resources

• More on Jaundice