Your nails can offer important clues about your liver health. Pay attention to:
- Terry’s nails: Most of the nail looks white and opaque, except for a thin band of pink or brown color at the tip.
- Leukonychia: White spots or lines on the nail, which may indicate a deficiency of proteins such as albumin.
- Brittleness: Nails that break or crack easily can be a sign of malnutrition associated with poor liver function.
6. Cracked and dry heels
While cracked heels can have many causes, persistent dryness and deep fissures that don’t improve with conventional moisturizing could be related to liver problems. A liver that isn’t functioning properly can lead to vitamin deficiencies and poor circulation, which affects the health and elasticity of the skin on the feet.
7. Tingling and numbness (Paresthesia)
The sensation of pins and needles, tingling, or numbness in the feet can be a symptom of peripheral neuropathy. Some chronic liver diseases, especially those related to excessive alcohol consumption or hepatitis C, can damage the peripheral nerves, causing these abnormal sensations.
8. Pain in the joints of the feet
Joint pain, similar to arthritis, in the feet and ankles can be linked to advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis. The widespread systemic inflammation that accompanies these conditions can manifest as joint pain and stiffness.
9. Yellow or brown spots (Xanthomas)
Xanthomas are deposits of fat (cholesterol) that accumulate under the skin, forming small bumps or patches that are yellow or brown. Although they are most common on tendons and around the eyes, they can appear on the feet. Their presence may indicate a lipid metabolism disorder, often associated with certain liver diseases that affect bile flow.
