Final answer:
Characteristic skin symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice, which manifests as yellowing of the skin and eyes. Other skin-related signs can include changes in skin coloration and photosensitivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an individual is affected by hepatitis, a characteristic skin symptom that can be observed is jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This occurs because when the liver is inflamed or damaged, it cannot effectively break down bilirubin, a by-product of the breakdown of hemoglobin, leading to an accumulation of bilirubin in the body. Other related skin symptoms might include a pink or brown-colored chin due to hepatic damage and accumulation of iron, as well as photosensitivity of the skin. In addition to skin symptoms, hepatitis can cause malaise, anorexia, loss of appetite, dark urine, upper right abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, joint pain, and gray stools among others. These symptoms arise because the hepatitis viruses target and infect hepatocytes, causing inflammation and liver dysfunction.