There are certain changes in the body that may seem like small details, but in fact they hide important signals about our health. One of them is the yellowish tint that can appear in the eyes, especially in the white part (sclera). Many people have noticed it in themselves or in others, and although it is sometimes considered temporary, it can actually be a clear symptom of a liver problem: hepatitis.

When the eyes turn yellow, the body is trying to warn us that something is wrong with the internal cleansing process of the liver. This is not just a change in color; it is a signal that should be taken very seriously, because behind this yellowish tone may be a toxic overload of the body.

The main cause of this yellowish color is called jaundice, which occurs when a substance called bilirubin builds up in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow-colored pigment that is formed when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes and eliminates bilirubin through bile, which then passes through the intestines and is excreted in the stool. But when the liver is inflamed or damaged, as in hepatitis, this process is interrupted and bilirubin begins to build up in the blood and tissues, turning the skin and eyes yellow.

Interestingly, the eyes are often the first place to notice this change, even before the skin turns yellow. This is because the sclera contains a high concentration of elastin, a protein that is easily stained by bilirubin and makes the shade more obvious.

Hepatitis, in its various forms (A, B, C, D, or E), can cause this buildup of bilirubin. In general, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virus, but 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, leading to a kind of “jamming” of its functions.