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The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Tan Phuc - Gastroenterologist - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General HospitalHepatic pruritus occurs when the liver's detoxification function no longer ensures the elimination of harmful substances to the body. Manifestations of liver pruritus can be seen in patients with pre-existing liver disease or those with an inappropriate lifestyle, accumulation of many toxins in the body. Itchy papules caused by the liver cause a lot of discomfort to the patient and need to be treated appropriately.
1. What is liver pruritus?
Hepatic pruritus is one of the symptoms suggesting a decline in the liver's detoxification function. The liver is one of the essential organs of the body, performing many different important roles. The ability to filter and remove harmful substances to the body from food and water is an indispensable function that is always guaranteed by the liver. However, if a person's body receives too many different toxins, the liver can be damaged and cannot perform the metabolic activities it needs. Toxic residues in the body for a long time will cause clinical manifestations such as itchy papules, urticaria. Itchy papules caused by the liver often appear in the summer, when the weather is uncomfortable due to the hot sun and polluted surroundings. In this condition, the human body often secretes a lot of sweat, the sebaceous glands are active, which is a favorable condition for the formation of many itchy papules. People with liver pruritus are easy to relapse many times, greatly affecting quality of life. If not treated in time, the disease can progress silently for a long time, causing chronic liver function decline, more severe can lead to cirrhosis.2. Why does liver disease cause itchy skin?
When you have the disease, the liver's functions are no longer working properly, including filtering and eliminating toxins. Harmful substances are accumulated a lot in the body, gradually manifesting into abnormal clinical signs such as itchy papules on the skin. Some lifestyles and improper nutrition act as factors that accelerate the disease process such as:Using a lot of processed foods, many preservatives. Diet low in fiber, deficient in many vitamins and minerals. Stressful working mode, a lot of pressure. Often have to stay up late, do too much physical work. Abuse of alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. Alcohol is one of the leading clinically known causes of cirrhosis.
Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?
Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.3. Manifestations of itchy papules caused by liver
The characteristic symptom of pruritic papules caused by the liver is the appearance of pimples, a red, itchy rash that appears suddenly on the skin. The red patches appear with well-defined limits, the early stage takes the form of tiny red rashes, then spreads to a wide range. In some severe cases, red patches can spread to the whole body, feel hard to the touch, solid density, popularly known as urticaria or urticaria. Red patches on the skin usually disappear after a few hours, when the body no longer feels cold. Symptoms of pruritus in liver pruritus are usually only smoldering with a burning sensation throughout the body's skin, increasing when the ambient temperature drops suddenly such as rain or wind. This is also a suggestive feature to help distinguish pruritus with liver rash from other dermatological conditions. In cases of pruritic rash due to skin disease, the pruritus is often characterized by more burning skin. However, clinical findings alone cannot be certain when determining the exact causes of papules. Itchy skin causes a lot of discomfort to the patient, which will often disappear along with red papules.In addition, when liver function declines, patients also experience other skin symptoms such as:
Fatigue, irritability, mood changes Decreased appetite, poor eating, indigestion Dull pain right hypochondrium, sometimes spreading to right shoulder Jaundice of skin and eyes, dark urine with or without pale stools. Bleeding gums, easy bruising on the skin when impacted. Symptoms help to suggest the cause and assess the severity of the disease. Liver pruritus, if not detected and treated promptly, can lead to chronic liver failure, even cirrhosis. Therefore, when there are any unusual symptoms, patients need to visit medical facilities for diagnosis, finding the cause and consulting treatment in time.
4. Treatment of itchy papules caused by the liver
Liver pruritus should be treated by detoxifying the liver and helping to improve the liver's detoxification function. Many simple but effective methods that every patient can easily apply at home, such as:Change in nutrition: The choice of food should be done in a scientific and healthy way. . In particular, patients need to add more fiber, vegetables and fruits and limit fried, high-fat foods or prepackaged foods with many preservatives. Many vegetables with cool properties should be used a lot in people who have symptoms of itching caused by liver such as gotu kola, ground ginseng, bitter melon, corn silk, mint, lotus leaf, lotus root, lettuce... Meal The patient's diet should include frugal, easy-to-digest foods. Adding enough water for the body, an average of about 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day is a must-do, especially in hot seasons. Avoid agents that damage the liver. Do not abuse alcoholic beverages such as alcohol, quit smoking. Maintain a scientific lifestyle, do not work too hard. Create a balance between work and life, reasonable rest. Exercise regularly, exercise regularly. Establish the habit of going to bed on time, not staying up late. Use the medicine as directed by your doctor. For non-prescription drugs, patients should carefully read the instructions for use before using. Avoid taking drugs that affect liver function. Visit a specialist doctor on schedule to properly treat the liver diseases below. Good treatment of liver diseases helps the liver to recover its detoxification function, so the liver rash also gradually disappears. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has Hepatobiliary screening services, helping doctors check hepatobiliary health through:
Assess the liver's ability to work through liver enzyme tests; Evaluation of bile function; vascular nutrition; Early screening for liver cancer; Perform tests such as: total blood cell analysis, blood clotting ability, screening for hepatitis B, C; Assessment of hepatobiliary status through ultrasound images and diseases that have the potential to affect liver disease/exacerbation of liver disease; In-depth analysis of parameters to evaluate hepatobiliary function through laboratory and subclinical tests; the risk of affecting the liver and early screening for hepatobiliary cancer. The examination process is always performed by a team of qualified doctors, combined with modern equipment and machinery. Therefore, customers can be assured of the evaluation results at the hospital.
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