Liver Psoriasis – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What Is Liver Psoriasis?

Just like psoriasis of the skin destroys healthy skin cells, psoriasis of the liver replaces healthy liver cells with scar tissue. This condition is known as cirrhosis of the liver. It is a progressive disease and if not treated properly, it can cause the liver to stop functioning altogether.

The condition becomes serious when scar tissues completely replace healthy liver tissues and cells. It leads to a blockage of blood flow through the liver, which can lead to serious health complications.

Causes of Cirrhosis

The most common causes of liver cirrhosis include:

1. Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis is a common cause of liver psoriasis in most parts of the world. Diabetes and obesity trigger the condition and make it worse. Sometimes, a person’s immune system starts to attack the healthy tissues and organs of the body. The patient may develop cirrhosis if the liver is continuously attacked.

2. Long-Term Use of Alcohol

A healthy liver breaks down toxins that enter the body in the form of food. If the alcohol intake of a person is too high, then the liver has to overwork, which leads to the cells and tissues become permanently damaged. People who drink alcohol regularly are at high risk of developing cirrhosis as compared to healthy people. 10-15% of heavy drinkers end up with liver psoriasis.

3. Genetic Diseases

Some genetic conditions can also cause cirrhosis. These include:

• Hemochromatosis: A condition in which iron starts accumulating in the liver.
• Wilson’s Disease: A condition in which copper starts accumulating in the liver.

Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis

You may not notice any symptoms of cirrhosis during its early stages. This is why it usually goes unnoticed. As the accumulation of scar tissues increases, it affects the functions of the liver. The following are some common symptoms of liver psoriasis.

The appearance of blood capillaries on the upper abdomen skin

• Itchy skin
• Insomnia
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Loss of bodyweight
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Blotchy and red palms
• Tenderness and pain in the area where the liver is located

As the condition progresses, the following symptoms can be noticed:

• Bleeding gums
• Personality changes
• Accelerated heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Loss of body mass
• Edema
• Jaundice
• Hair loss
• Loss of sex drive
• Muscle cramps
• Memory issues
• Nosebleeds
• Frequent fevers
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Vomiting blood
• Darker urine
• Dark and tarry stools
• Breathlessness
• Problems in mobility and walking

Treatment of Cirrhosis

Damage to the liver can be minimized by treating the causes of liver cirrhosis. Here are some common treatment options for liver psoriasis.

1. Alcohol Dependency Treatment

The patient must quit drinking if they don’t want their liver to collapse. Heavy drinkers may be recommended for a treatment program to treat their alcohol dependency.

2. Medications

If the main cause of liver cirrhosis is hepatitis B or C, then the patient is prescribed certain medications to control the damage to the liver.

3. Banding

If the liver is bleeding, a small band is placed on the base of the varices. This controls bleeding and prevents the liver from permanent damage.

4. Antibiotics

The patient is given antibiotics to fight off any infections that may arise during other treatments.

5. Medications for Blood Pressure

To prevent severe bleeding in the portal vein, medications are prescribed to keep the blood pressure under control.

6. Injections Sclerotherapy

A substance is injected into the varices of the patient to trigger the formation of a blood clot that leads to the formation of scar tissues. This prevents excessive bleeding.

7. Liver Transplant

In severe cases, the damage to the liver is so serious that it cannot be undone by treatments and medications. The only option left is a liver transplant.

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