Does early-stage cirrhosis cause itchy skin?

Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

Updated on May 16, 2025

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Generally, early-stage cirrhosis does not cause itchy skin. However, if a patient with cirrhosis has a high jaundice index, or the cirrhosis is caused by bile stasis or primary sclerosing cholangitis, itchy skin might occur. Once a patient with cirrhosis experiences itchy skin, it is recommended to complete relevant auxiliary examinations, such as liver function tests, routine blood tests, gastroscopy, and abdominal ultrasound, to determine the extent of the cirrhosis and actively identify the causes of the cirrhosis and itchy skin, to promptly treat the condition based on the underlying causes.

Other Voices

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

55sec

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What are the gastrointestinal symptoms of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, many patients do not exhibit any symptoms, but some may experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and indigestion. Some patients might also suffer from portal hypertensive gastropathy due to cirrhosis, leading to symptoms such as pain and bloating in the upper abdomen, acid reflux, and belching. If the disease progresses to the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, portal hypertension can cause varices in the esophagus and stomach, which may lead to severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding if hard food is consumed. Symptoms can include vomiting dark red blood or fresh blood, dizziness, fatigue, and cold sweats. In such cases, it is advised to seek immediate medical attention for emergency treatment.

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Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

51sec

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What should I do about 7 episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding due to cirrhosis?

There are manifestations of cirrhosis, and it is accompanied by upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which occurs frequently. At this time, a gastroscopy should be conducted, in combination with an ultrasound examination of the liver, to determine whether portal hypertension is causing the bleeding. If the condition is serious, surgical treatment, such as disconnection or shunting, may be needed to relieve the pressure on the portal vein and mitigate the bleeding. Alternatively, vascular ligation can also be performed under gastroscopy to ligate the ruptured vessels, which can also stop the bleeding. Otherwise, long-term repeated heavy bleeding can easily lead to hemorrhagic anemia, and in severe cases, it can cause hemorrhagic shock, posing a life-threatening risk.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang

Gastroenterology

39sec

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Can alcoholic liver cirrhosis be cured?

Cirrhosis caused by alcohol can be treated clinically. The first and foremost treatment for alcoholic cirrhosis is abstinence from alcohol. If one cannot abstain, no treatment will achieve the desired effect or be of much use. Once cirrhosis has developed, the condition cannot be reversed; it can only be managed with medications to slow the progression of the cirrhosis and reduce the occurrence of complications. If financial circumstances allow, a liver transplant can be considered for treatment. Naturally, alcoholic cirrhosis can also be treated with a liver transplant. Thus, alcoholic cirrhosis is a treatable condition.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

42sec

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Do I need to take liver-protective medicine in the early stages of cirrhosis?

As for whether it is still necessary to take liver-protective medication in the early stages of cirrhosis, it depends on whether there is liver function impairment in patients with early-stage cirrhosis. If there is liver function impairment, such as elevated transaminases and bilirubin, then it is necessary to take some liver-protective medications. If liver function is normal, then it is sufficient to treat only the cause of the disease. For example, if cirrhosis is caused by chronic hepatitis B virus infection, but the patient's liver function is normal, then antiviral treatment alone is sufficient. If the cirrhosis is due to alcohol abuse, then strict abstinence from alcohol is required, and the condition can generally be stabilized.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

45sec

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Can early-stage liver cirrhosis be cured by surgical resection?

Early-stage liver cirrhosis cannot be cured through surgical resection. Patients with early-stage liver cirrhosis need to clearly identify the cause of the cirrhosis if they wish to be cured. For instance, if the cirrhosis is due to alcohol, it requires actively quitting drinking. If the cirrhosis is caused by viral hepatitis, then active antiviral treatment is necessary for these early-stage patients. To cure the disease, it is essential to actively protect the liver and treat the underlying cause. If a patient with early-stage liver cirrhosis shows signs of liver cancer, then surgical treatment should be undertaken to remove the lesions as soon as possible.