Aunt Li, 63, is a little depressed these days. She had small red spots on her face, and she was still a little swollen, and she wanted to apply some anti-inflammatory ointment and it was over. But a few words from the neighbor made her mutter.
"Aunt Li, what's wrong with your face?"
"Hey, it's just a few little red dots. ”
"Gee, this isn't a joke. I've heard that liver problems can be like this, and the red dot may be a warning to the liver!"
After Aunt Li heard this, her heart went up and down. In addition, she always felt muscle soreness and lack of strength recently, so she was worried about whether she had liver cancer, and she was worried all day long, unable to eat and sleep well.
When her wife saw her like this, she dragged her to the hospital. As a result, the doctor told her that it was just dermatomyositis and that there was nothing wrong with her liver. Aunt Li breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "It seems that my liver is still very good!"
01
There are rumors circulating on the Internet that red moles on the skin are linked to liver disease, which has caused many people to worry and anxiety. But what is the truth? Let's unravel the mystery.
Xu Jia, deputy chief physician of the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, pointed out that when liver disease develops to the middle and late stages, there will be abnormal liver metabolism of estrogen.
This abnormality may cause local telangiectasias, which can lead to the formation of red moles on the surface of the skin. Therefore, it can be said that the appearance of red moles on the skin may indeed be related to abnormal liver metabolism.
However, it is a biased view that poor liver function can be easily inferred from the appearance of a red mole on the skin alone.
We know that spider angiomata is a common skin red nevus that is often closely related to endocrine estrogen levels.
In fact, about 10% to 15% of normal people may also develop spider angiomas at some stage, especially when estrogen levels fluctuate dramatically. Therefore, the mere presence of spider angiomatas does not necessarily mean that you have a disease.
However, Dr. Hsu also reminds us that when liver function is impaired to a certain extent, spider angiomas may appear on the surface of the skin, accompanied by redness of the skin at the palm-sized thenar area.
In addition, as liver disease progresses, the patient's skin may gradually turn yellow or even darken. Therefore, when spider angiomata accompany these symptoms, it may indicate that liver function is worsening, and it is important to get checked and intervene as necessary.
02
1. Vascular bruises:
Vascular nevus, also known as senile hemangioma or cherry-like hemangioma, is a red spot caused by the proliferation and dilation of blood vessels in hairy crabs.
It usually occurs in the upper body and less often in the lower body. These small red dots may be flat or raised, between 1-3mm in diameter, and do not disappear when pressed.
Although they may be more numerous, they usually do not cause itching or pain and do not fester. In general, vascular nevi are benign and do not require special treatment.
2. Henoch-Schonlein purpura:
Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels caused by a disorder of the immune response, which can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, rash, joint pain, or nephritis.
These small red dots and ecchymoses usually appear symmetrically on the lower extremities, do not disappear with press, and are accompanied by an itchy sensation.
According to data, 90% of patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura develop in childhood. Because Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be a health risk, it is important to start standard treatment early.
3. Mechanical purpura:
This type of red dot is usually caused by a broken capillary caused by increased pressure in the blood vessels in the head. For example, conditions such as constipation, handstands, or crying and holding your breath can cause this mechanical injury.
Mechanical purpura occurs mainly in children and usually does not require specific treatment, as the injuries tend to heal on their own after avoiding the above behaviors.
4. Pigmentary purpura skin disease:
This skin problem is a cutaneous vascular disease that is common in the lower extremities. It may manifest as small petechiae, ecchymosis, etc., and does not fade easily after pressing.
This condition generally occurs in adults, and although it usually does not cause particularly significant health effects, it is still recommended to see a doctor for further screening and evaluation by a dermatologist.
03
1. Dark spots on the neck:
If you notice goose-down-like hyperpigmented patches on your neck or armpits, this could be a sign of acanthosis nigricans.
Acanthosis nigricans often indicates an abnormality in the body's metabolism, such as possible obesity or diabetes.
However, we should also be wary of the association of acanthosis nigricans with malignancy, which can sometimes be a manifestation of certain oncological diseases.
2. Abnormal itching of the skin:
Pancreatic tumors may cause biliary obstruction, while excessive bile acid accumulation can cause symptoms of itchy skin. This itching is usually constant and affects the whole body.
If you notice that you experience unusual itching of the skin, especially if it lasts for a longer period of time, you should seek the advice of your doctor promptly to rule out any potentially serious problems.
3. Abnormal skin lumps:
Nodular bumps that appear on the surface of the skin may be benign or malignant. You need to pay attention to where these bumps appear, how fast they grow, and how they texture.
Typically, benign lumps are mobile, slow to grow, and have a smooth surface with well-defined borders.
In contrast, malignant masses may have rough surfaces, blurred borders, rapid growth, and other symptoms such as fever and weakness. If you notice any unusual skin bumps, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for further evaluation and treatment.
4. Yellowing of the skin:
Jaundice of the skin can be caused by a number of reasons, one of which is liver abnormalities such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
In addition, pancreatic cancer can also cause bile duct obstruction, which can cause jaundice on the skin and whites of the eyes.
If your skin turns yellow, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention for evaluation.
04
The skin is the largest organ in our body and the first line of defense. With age and the influence of the external environment, the skin is prone to signs of aging, such as dryness, sagging, wrinkles, etc. Therefore, proper care is essential to delay skin aging.
1. Do a good job of skin cleaning.
Use a gentle cleanser daily to cleanse your facial skin to remove dirt and oil and keep your skin feeling refreshed.
When bathing, choose a gentle and moisturizing body wash, and avoid soaps with strong alkaline ingredients to avoid over-cleansing and drying out the skin.
2. Replenish water in time.
After cleansing, use a toner or softener to help hydrate your skin while minimizing the appearance of pores.
A hydrating mask 1 to 2 times a week is also a good option to deeply moisturize the skin and prevent dryness.
3, Moisturizing.
Apply a moisturizer or moisturizer promptly after using the softener to lock in moisture and avoid dry skin.
For particularly dry skin areas, a moisturizing ointment can be used for topical treatments to help restore the skin's water and oil balance.
4. Sunscreen.
Ultraviolet rays are one of the main causes of skin aging, and long-term exposure to UV rays can accelerate skin aging, resulting in wrinkles and dark spots.
Therefore, whether it is a sunny or cloudy day, use the right sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays.