Yes, fatty liver can cause symptoms on your skin and face. The early stage of fatty liver disease often doesn’t show symptoms. The changes in face and skin like puffines, change in colour and itching could give a sign of fatty liver disease.
The most common chronic liver disease is nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). The more common the disease fatty liver is the more subtle its symptoms are. Over time, you may notice changes in your face that do not result from any other cause.
What One Must Know About Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease occur when fat builds up in the liver and starts damaging the organ. Many factors can lead to fatty liver including obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes. Some other risk factors are:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High alcohol intake
- High blood pressure
- High-fat diet
- Metabolic syndrome
- Medication
Some symptoms can show that you need a professional’s attention, including:
- If you are having daytime sleepiness and tiredness.
- Weight loss without even dieting or exercise.
- Jaundice
- Swelling in legs or abdomen
In the early stages, symptoms are often not visible and can’t be noticed. You might not know you have it unless it is diagnosed. Some lifestyle choices can prevent or reverse some of the damage caused by fatty liver, including:
- Losing weight
- Controlling diabetes
- Eating balanced diet
- Increasing physical activities
We will understand these in depth later, first, we need to know about the symptoms it can cause on your skin.
How Fatty Liver Disease Show Symptoms on Your Skin?
If your diet is high in calories and fat, you probably need to put a hold on these. Fatty liver disease can result in inflammation and in some cases, damage to healthy liver cells. Some people with the disease don’t experience any symptoms till diagnosed. While some symptoms like fatigue and abdominal pain can be noticed.
Fatty liver disease may cause some symptoms on your face or skin. Understand the symptoms that can be noticed on your face then follow up the symptoms on the skin.
Facial Symptoms
The following are the symptoms of fatty liver disease on the face:
Puffiness
Fatty liver disease can affect your liver’s ability to make proteins. This can affect your blood flow and fluid removal, resulting in puffiness on the face.
Dark Skin In The Crease Of Your Neck
Fatty liver disease can contribute to increased insulin resistance which means your body is not using insulin effectively. Condition of acanthosis nigricans can be caused because of excess buildup of insulin in your body. This condition may cause skin folds such as the crease of your neck.
Rash Around Your Mouth
Chronic liver diseases including fatty liver disease can cause your body to not absorb certain nutrients as effectively. One of the minerals is zinc, which results in people’s zinc deficiency.
Itching
Fatty liver disease symptoms include skin itching, including on your face. Scratching may make the irritation worse and usually does not give relief.
Fatty Liver Symptoms On Skin
The following are the noticeable symptoms on the skin of fatty liver disease:
Jaundice
In this, your skin starts turning yellow and the whites of the eyes also show yellowness, the reason behind this is excess bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice can be harder to see on dark skin tones it is preferred to visit for regular check-ups.
Spider Veins
You can see thread-like red spots with extensions that look like a spider’s web. These can appear anywhere on the skin including your face.
Skin Pigmentation Changes
The skin can turn greyish especially on the face, around the eyes and mouth and under the nose.
Lifestyle Choices That Can Help Reverse Fatty Liver Disease
Some changes in your daily routine can help you deal with the damage caused by fatty liver disease. You can reverse it and make your life better with wise choices. Take a look at the following:
Diet
Eat healthy, live healthy. A balanced diet that is low in fat and simple carbohydrates can bring changes in your symptoms. Prefer eating more non-starchy vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. You must add healthy fats to your routine and limit the consumption of red meat, processed meats and added sugars.
Weight Loss
Lose weight but no more than 1-2 pounds per week. Get a moderate to intense exercise routine. Exercise at least 30 to 45 minutes a day.
Adequate Sleep
Take a good rest and promote a night sleep schedule. You must sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours at night.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol is known to worsen liver damage.
Routine Check-ups
Get professional advice and care. Look for a doctor who is specialised in dealing with liver issues.
You can reverse fatty liver disease and its damages by promoting some healthy habits.