Itchy skin and jaundice, unseen warning signals of pancreatic issues

While itchy skin is typically a result of dermatological issues, it can occasionally be an indicator of an improperly functioning pancreas. Here, the itching results from the accumulation of protein complexes with bilirubin under the skin.

In other cases, itchy skin is a symptom that precedes the occurrence of jaundice, especially when the bile pigment concentration is exceedingly high. Chronic itching, particularly when it exceeds a duration of six weeks, could be indicative of pancreatic cancer development.

As soon as symptoms such as yellowing of the skin, eye whites, and mucous membranes emerge, it is crucial to consult a doctor. Some symptoms of pancreatic disease, apart from jaundice spurred by excessive bilirubin levels in the patient's blood serum, could include darker urine, change in stool colour, and itchy skin.

A shift in skin color to yellow could stem from a tumour pressing on the urinary tract, a disrupted flow of bile from the liver to the intestine, enlarged lymph nodes, or liver-damaging cancer metastases.

Purpura is a symptom of acute pancreatitis. It often presents alongside fever, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. The skin condition typically manifests as a spotted rash, usually appearing on the body's lateral part and around the navel. Acute pancreas inflammation is most commonly caused by alcohol abuse or gallstones.

Both benign and malignant tumours in our body can produce or activate various hormones that instigate changes on the skin. A good example of this is erythema migrans, a symptom of a malignant pancreatic tumour called a glucagonoma.

The patient initially develops an erythema with a blister in the middle. When the cover breaks, a dark necrotic scab covers the exposed area. When the skin lesion heals, it leaves behind discoloration. Accompanying symptoms often include pain and itching. Such symptoms typically occur on limbs, around the mouth, on the lower abdomen, and in the groin.