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Your hands and feet can be a surprising window into your overall health, revealing subtle symptoms of underlying conditions like liver disease. While classic signs like jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes) are well-known, there are several less-obvious manifestations that appear on the extremities. Recognizing these unusual signs can be crucial for early detection and treatment.

Here are five unusual liver disease symptoms that can be seen on your hands and feet.

1. Palmar Erythema (Red Palms)

This condition, often called “liver palms,” causes the palms of your hands to turn an unusually blotchy, reddish color. The redness typically appears on the outer edges of the palms, below the little finger and thumb, and is a result of dilated blood vessels (vasodilation). This is believed to be caused by an imbalance of hormones that a diseased liver can no longer properly metabolize. The redness usually fades when you press on it and returns quickly after you release the pressure.

2. Clubbing of the Fingers or Toes

Finger clubbing is a condition where the fingertips and nails become noticeably rounded, bulging, and wider than normal, resembling an upside-down spoon.

The nails may also feel soft or spongy to the touch. This symptom is linked to a variety of conditions, including lung and heart diseases, but it is also a well-documented sign of advanced liver disease, particularly cirrhosis. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is thought to be to the buildup of certain growth factors in the body that a healthy liver would normally filter out.

3. Spider Angiomas (Spider Veins)

These are small, reddish, spider-like blood vessels that appear just beneath the surface of the skin. They have a central red dot with thin, reddish extensions radiating outwards. While one or two might be normal, a sudden appearance of several spider angiomas—particularly on the hands, arms, neck, or face—can be a strong indicator of chronic liver disease. Like palmar erythema, they are caused by high levels of circulating estrogen, which a failing liver cannot metabolize effectively.

4. White or “Terry’s” Nails

If your fingernails appear unusually white, with only a thin band of pink or brown at the very top, this could be a sign of a serious liver issue. This condition is known as Terry’s nails. The whitening is caused by a decrease in blood supply to the nail bed and an increase in connective tissue. While it can be a natural sign of aging, it is often a symptom of underlying liver failure due to low albumin levels in the blood. In some cases, the entire nail may become white.

5. Swelling (Edema) of the Feet and Ankles

Swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs (also known as peripheral edema) is a common, though often overlooked, symptom of advanced liver disease. A damaged liver is unable to produce enough of the protein albumin, which is essential for maintaining fluid balance in the bloodstream. This leads to a fluid buildup in the lower extremities due to gravity. This swelling is often a sign of significant liver damage and can also be accompanied by a buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).