There are certain changes in the body that may seem like simple details, but they actually hide important signs about our health. One of them is the yellowish tint that can appear in the eyes, especially in the white part (the sclera). Many people have experienced this or have noticed it in someone else, and although it is sometimes thought to be temporary, it can be a clear symptom of a liver problem: hepatitis.

When the eyes turn yellow, the body is trying to warn us that something is not right with the liver’s internal cleansing process. It’s not a simple color change; it’s a warning that should be taken very seriously, because behind that yellowish tint there may be a toxic overload in the body.

The main cause of this yellowish color is called jaundice, and it occurs when a substance called bilirubin accumulates in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that forms when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes and eliminates bilirubin through bile, which then passes into the intestine and leaves the body in the feces. But when the liver is inflamed or damaged, as occurs with hepatitis, this process is interrupted, and bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood and tissues, turning the skin and eyes yellow.

Interestingly, the eyes are often the first place this change is noticed, even before the skin begins to turn yellow. This is because the sclera has a high concentration of elastin, a protein that stains easily with bilirubin, making that yellow hue more evident.

Hepatitis, in its different types (A, B, C, D, or E), can cause this accumulation of bilirubin. In simple terms, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virus, although it can also be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, or poisoning. When the liver becomes inflamed, it loses some of its ability to process toxins, creating a kind of “jam” in its functioning.

In addition to yellow eyes, hepatitis can present other symptoms that often go unnoticed or are confused with the flu. These include intense fatigue, mild fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain in the upper right abdomen, right where the liver is located. As the disease progresses, urine may become darker, stools lighter, and the skin may also begin to take on that characteristic yellowish hue.

An important detail is that the intensity of the yellow color can vary. In some cases, it is barely perceptible and only noticeable in good lighting; in others, the color is so strong that the change is evident even to the naked eye. What determines this level of yellowness is the amount of bilirubin accumulated in the blood.

Now, although yellowing of the eyes is a very common sign of hepatitis, it does not always mean that someone has this particular disease. Jaundice can also occur for other reasons, such as gallstones blocking the liver’s ducts, pancreatic diseases, or adverse reactions to certain medications. Therefore, it is advisable not to self-diagnose and to see a doctor if you notice any signs of yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Hepatitis is diagnosed through blood tests, which measure levels of bilirubin, liver enzymes, and specific antibodies. These tests help determine the type and severity of hepatitis. In some cases, the doctor may also order a liver ultrasound to assess its condition.