In our daily health checks, we often pay attention to blood pressure, weight, or sugar levels. But we rarely notice what our hands are trying to tell us. In an interaction with The Indian Express, Dr Narander Singla, Lead Consultant – Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, shared that subtle changes in the hands can be early signs of fatty liver disease, a silent condition that is now common across all age groups, even among people who don’t drink alcohol.
“Fatty liver isn’t always silent. Sometimes, the first warnings show up right on your skin, especially your hands,” Dr Singla told The Indian Express.
Warning signs on the hands you shouldn’t ignore
Dr Singla says some early signs of liver trouble can appear on the skin of your hands. These include:
- Red palms (Palmar erythema): A common sign caused by hormonal changes and altered blood flow when the liver is under stress.
- Itchy hands: This can be due to a buildup of bile salts in the bloodstream.
- Dry, thin skin that bruises easily: Linked to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.
- Spider angiomas: Tiny red, web-like blood vessels that can appear on the hands, arms, or face, often due to increased estrogen levels.
- Clubbing of fingers: A condition where the fingertips appear swollen or bulbous, caused by low oxygen levels in the blood.
While these symptoms might not seem connected to liver health at first, Dr Singla explains they are all indirect signs of a liver that isn’t working properly.
“When the liver is overburdened with fat, its filtering and hormone-regulating abilities drop. This leads to changes in the skin and blood vessels,” he says.
Why these signs appear
Most cases of fatty liver today are caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is often linked to poor diet, obesity, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol, conditions that lead to fat building up in the liver.
“Each symptom is a warning,” says Dr Singla. “Red palms mean blood flow is altered, spider veins show hormone imbalance, and itchy skin points to poor bile function.”
What to do if you notice these signs
Spotting one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have liver disease, but it’s a good reason to get checked. A doctor may advise blood tests or an ultrasound to see how your liver is functioning and whether there’s fat buildup.
The good news? Early lifestyle changes can make a big difference.
Dr Singla recommends:
- Losing 5–10 per cent of your body weight
- Eating more vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Cutting back on sugar and processed foods
- Avoiding alcohol completely
- Exercising regularly
- Staying hydrated and limiting unnecessary medications
“Managing cholesterol and blood sugar also plays a key role in protecting the liver,” he adds.
Who is at risk?
Fatty liver can affect anyone, but certain groups are more vulnerable:
- People who are overweight or obese
- Those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome
- Even people who don’t drink alcohol—NAFLD now accounts for 85 per cent of fatty liver cases
“New research shows 65 per cent of people screened had some level of fatty liver,” says Dr Singla. “The main cause? Poor lifestyle habits.”
If you notice changes in your hands or skin, it could be your body’s way of warning you. Early diagnosis and simple changes at home can go a long way in preventing more serious liver problems like fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.
Your hands might just be telling you something your liver can’t. Listen to them.
