Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe LinkCausesSymptomsTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Link
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Liver disease refers to a range of diseases that can cause dysfunction and damage to the liver. There are over 100 types of liver disease.Some of these diseases may cause itching that can interfere with your quality of life. Itching as a symptom found in liver disease is referred to as pruritus.
In this article, you can learn more about the causes of itching associated with liver disease, the symptoms to watch for, ways to find relief, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Types of Liver Disease and How to Treat Them
The Link Between Liver Disease and Itching
It’s not yet exactly clear why some liver diseases cause itching and others don’t. The link is said to involvepruritogens,which are substances associated with itchiness, and thenervous system.
The exact link between liver disease and itching remains unclear. Theories scientists are investigating include:
Liver diseases that cause itching cause the flow of bile to slow down or stop. The most common types of liver disease that cause itching include:
The symptoms of itching associated with liver disease may be localized (contained in one area of the body) or generalized (all over the body). They can also be categorized as acute (sudden and temporary) or chronic (present for six or more weeks).
Medicine and Remedies to Relieve Itching All Over the Body
Treatment will depend upon your symptoms and the type of liver disease you have, although not everyone may respond to treatments. Your healthcare provider will consider your entire medical history before discussing possible treatments.
Some treatment methods for itch associated with liver disease include:
In 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved Livmarli (maralixibat) for the treatment of cholestatic pruritus in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and Alagille syndrome.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
The sooner you can see a healthcare provider for the itch associated with liver disease, the better. Itchiness associated with liver disease is unlikely to improve on its own. It can get worse and start having an impact on your everyday life. It can interfere with your sleep, mood, anxiety levels, depression levels, fatigue, and general outlook.
Your healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment methods to reduce symptoms and limit the impact of itch on your life.
Itching and Liver Disease StagesItching may or may not occur during any stage of liver disease. If you have been treated for an itch associated with liver disease and it returns, you’ll need to return to your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps.
Itching and Liver Disease Stages
Itching may or may not occur during any stage of liver disease. If you have been treated for an itch associated with liver disease and it returns, you’ll need to return to your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps.
What to Expect During Liver Function Tests
Summary
Some people with liver disease will experience itchy skin, and others will not. It’s not always clear why the itchiness is present, but it’s always important to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. Treatment options for itch associated with liver disease include lifestyle adjustments, reducing exposure to potential irritants, and medications.
A Word From Verywell
Living with itchiness may not seem like a big deal, until it is. What can begin as a minor annoyance can develop into worsening symptoms without treatment. If you have itchiness that isn’t resolving on its own, consider talking to your healthcare provider (whether you have a liver disease diagnosis or not). Many treatment options can help reduce symptoms and prevent skin damage or infection from excessive scratching.
Frequently Asked QuestionsItching associated with liver disease often starts on the palms and soles and spreads to other parts of the body.It can be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than six weeks).Itchy skin on the palms and soles is a sign your liver is not functioning properly, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have liver disease. Other signs your liver is not functioning properly include:FatigueAbdominal painBruising easilyHaving dark-colored urineSigns like yellowing of the whites of the eyes, indicatingjaundice, are more severe and indicate the problem has been developing for some time.Learn MoreAn Overview of Liver FailureItchiness is common in people with certain types of liver disease. This does not mean everyone with liver disease will experience itch. It just means there is a link between liver disease and itch, although that link is not exactly clear.
Itching associated with liver disease often starts on the palms and soles and spreads to other parts of the body.It can be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than six weeks).
Itchy skin on the palms and soles is a sign your liver is not functioning properly, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have liver disease. Other signs your liver is not functioning properly include:FatigueAbdominal painBruising easilyHaving dark-colored urineSigns like yellowing of the whites of the eyes, indicatingjaundice, are more severe and indicate the problem has been developing for some time.Learn MoreAn Overview of Liver Failure
Itchy skin on the palms and soles is a sign your liver is not functioning properly, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have liver disease. Other signs your liver is not functioning properly include:FatigueAbdominal painBruising easilyHaving dark-colored urineSigns like yellowing of the whites of the eyes, indicatingjaundice, are more severe and indicate the problem has been developing for some time.
Itchy skin on the palms and soles is a sign your liver is not functioning properly, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have liver disease. Other signs your liver is not functioning properly include:
Signs like yellowing of the whites of the eyes, indicatingjaundice, are more severe and indicate the problem has been developing for some time.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Liver Failure
Itchiness is common in people with certain types of liver disease. This does not mean everyone with liver disease will experience itch. It just means there is a link between liver disease and itch, although that link is not exactly clear.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Liver Foundation.The stages of liver disease.Bhalerao A, Mannu GS.Management of pruritus in chronic liver disease.Dermatology Research and Practice.2015 Mar.2015:e295891. doi:10.1155/2015/295891.Tajiri K and Shimizu Y.Recent advances in the management of pruritus in chronic liver diseases.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(19): 3418-3426. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i19.3418.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: Management in primary care.British Journal of General Practice.2015;65(635), e418–e420. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Common characteristics of liver disease.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Liver Foundation.The stages of liver disease.Bhalerao A, Mannu GS.Management of pruritus in chronic liver disease.Dermatology Research and Practice.2015 Mar.2015:e295891. doi:10.1155/2015/295891.Tajiri K and Shimizu Y.Recent advances in the management of pruritus in chronic liver diseases.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(19): 3418-3426. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i19.3418.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: Management in primary care.British Journal of General Practice.2015;65(635), e418–e420. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Common characteristics of liver disease.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Liver Foundation.The stages of liver disease.Bhalerao A, Mannu GS.Management of pruritus in chronic liver disease.Dermatology Research and Practice.2015 Mar.2015:e295891. doi:10.1155/2015/295891.Tajiri K and Shimizu Y.Recent advances in the management of pruritus in chronic liver diseases.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(19): 3418-3426. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i19.3418.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: Management in primary care.British Journal of General Practice.2015;65(635), e418–e420. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Common characteristics of liver disease.
American Liver Foundation.The stages of liver disease.
Bhalerao A, Mannu GS.Management of pruritus in chronic liver disease.Dermatology Research and Practice.2015 Mar.2015:e295891. doi:10.1155/2015/295891.
Tajiri K and Shimizu Y.Recent advances in the management of pruritus in chronic liver diseases.World J Gastroenterol.2017;23(19): 3418-3426. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i19.3418.
American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your skin itches uncontrollably and how to get relief.
Hegade VS, Kendrick SF, Rehman J, Jones DE.Itch and liver: Management in primary care.British Journal of General Practice.2015;65(635), e418–e420. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685477.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Common characteristics of liver disease.
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