What is icteric sclera? You will find the answer to this question in this article. You will also learn about what diseases this phenomenon is characteristic of and how it should be properly treated.
General information
The ictericity of the skin and sclera is a kind of pigmentation of the epidermis and mucous membranes, which take a yellow color.
Depending on the causes of this pathological process, the shades of yellow in which the sclera or skin are stained can be lemon, pale yellow, and such mix with dark green and olive colors.
What diseases are observed?
What diseases are characterized by icteric sclera? This unpleasant symptom manifests itself in the following conditions:
- Obstructive jaundice, provoked by narrowing of the bile ducts and a decrease in the outflow of bile. As a rule, such a disease occurs as a result of blockage of the said channels with stones. Also, mechanical restriction of the bile current can be caused by compression of the pathways by neoplasms, tumors, or swollen lymph nodes. In addition, such jaundice is often triggered by pancreatic cancer.
- Hemolytic jaundice caused by an excess of bile pigments and the destruction of red blood cells. Such ikterichnost sclera is not associated with diseases of the bile ducts and liver. Most often, such a violation is observed with malaria, hereditary hemolytic jaundice and pernicious anemia.
- The parenchymal ictericity of the sclera and skin is explained not by blockage of the gallbladder, but by damage to the liver itself. The main causes of this pathological condition may be acute hepatitis and cirrhosis.
The process of development of jaundice
Why do some people develop icteric sclera? The reasons for the occurrence of this condition may be related to the fact that people belong to the groups that we described above.
According to experts, at the biochemical level this phenomenon is explained by an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood. However, external manifestations of jaundice can be regulated not only by the content of this substance in the plasma, but also by the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer of the patient. For example, a large thickness of deposits significantly reduces the visual intensity of the disease, and a small, on the contrary, increases.
As you know, bilirubin enters the blood after its absorption from blocked bile ducts or liver cell dysfunction. Thus, without entering the bile, this substance is absorbed directly into the plasma, resulting in ictericity.
Many experts believe that such pigmentation does not occur until the bilirubin in the blood exceeds the norm twice. In other words, the appearance of jaundice indicates a significant progression of the disease.
It should also be noted that there is such a thing as “false ictericity”. Such jaundice does not develop due to an increased content of bilirubin in the blood, but due to increased concentrations of hinkarin and I-carotene. However, this case belongs to a completely different group of the disease.
Clinical manifestations
How is such a pathological condition manifested as icteric sclera? You can find a photo of this anomalous phenomenon in the materials of this article.
External manifestations and symptoms of ictericity of the skin and mucous membranes are very obvious and simple. With the above diseases, the sclera and epidermis are stained yellow.
It is impossible not to say that with mechanical jaundice of an acute type, this phenomenon is characterized as golden pigmentation. By the way, later it acquires a greenish tint. What is the reason for this? This condition occurs due to the oxidation of bilirubin.
In the event that the existing disease is not treated or is treated ineffectively, then the color of the sclera and skin integument gradually changes to brown-green or even close to black.
As for hemolytic ictericity, on the contrary, it is expressed rather weakly. Most often, such a pathology is manifested by the pallor of the skin , which borders on a yellowish tinge.
The process of treating icterosis
Surely it is not necessary to explain that the complex therapy of jaundice is closely interconnected with the treatment of diseases that are the cause of the development of ictericity of the skin and sclera.
It should be especially noted that there are such drugs that can artificially reduce the level of bilirubin in blood plasma, and, as a result, eliminate the external symptoms of jaundice. But it must be remembered that such a peculiar struggle against ictericity does not represent a cardinal solution to the problem. Taking such medications is only a temporary measure.