The NHS says that itchy skin is usually nothing to be worried about, and can be caused by everything from eczema to allergies and even the heat.
But in rare cases, it can be a symptom of liver disease – especially among pregnant people, The Liver Foundation says.
“You might itch anywhere on your body, but it’s most common on the arms and legs, or the palms of your hands or soles of your feet,” they write.
Some people get itchy all over, and the levels of itchiness can range from mildly annoying to completely exhausting.
Why do liver conditions cause itchy skin, and how can I tell?
We don’t really know why liver conditions can make people itchy.
Some people think it has to do with a build-up of bile salts, which irritate nerves. Other hormones and histamines can be out of balance when you have liver disease.
“If your itching is caused by a liver problem, there won’t be a skin rash or an insect bite,” the Liver Foundation says.
The worse the disease, the more intense the itching may get. It might be more noticeable when taking hot baths, wearing certain clothes, or at night.
It’s especially common among those with pregnancy-related liver complications, primary biliary cholangitis (a liver disease that gets worse over time), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (a disease of the bile ducts).
A family member who had intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) said, “I felt like insects were crawling all over my body because I was so itchy.”
But your itching doesn’t need to be that intense to warrant a doctor’s visit.
When should I see a doctor about itching?
Itching that keeps you up at night or interferes with your daily routine is worth speaking to a doctor about.
If you’re pregnant and notice itching, the NHS says you should let medical professionals know too. This may be a sign of ICP.
Itchy skin may also rarely reveal kidney or thyroid issues, so even if you rule out liver conditions, you should still see a GP if you’re worried.
Per the NHS, itchy skin is also worth investigating if it:
- does not get better with self-care or keeps coming back
- is caused by a new rash, lump or swelling that you’re worried about
- is all over your body
- is severe.
