Hypercarotenemia is abnormally high levels of beta carotene in the blood. It is a harmless condition but may result in an orange tint to the skin.
Orange spots on the palms of the hands can be caused by various factors, including dietary changes, skin conditions, or exposure to certain chemicals. One common cause is the consumption of foods rich in carotenoids, like carrots and sweet potatoes, which can lead to a condition called carotenemia, resulting in a yellow-orange discoloration of the skin. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as liver dysfunction or hypercarotenemia, may also manifest as discoloration. If the spots are persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, it's advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
Blood can appear orange in color due to a condition known as hypercarotenemia, where high levels of carotene in the blood can give it an orange hue. Carotene is a pigment found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Excessive intake of these foods or supplements containing carotene can lead to this discoloration of the blood. This condition is harmless and usually resolves once the intake of carotene is reduced.
Carrots contain a very large amount of vitamin Aand they also contain falcarinol, which may prevent cancer. The carrot gets its characteristic orange colour from B- carotene, which on consumption by humans is metabolised into vitamin A. Massive overconsumption of carrots can cause hypercarotenemia, a condition in which the skin turns orange and liver damage can be caused by overdosing on vitamin A. Carrots are also rich in dietary fibre, antioxidants, and minerals. A lack of Vitamin A can cause poor vision, including night vision.
DefinitionJaundice is a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes. The yellow pigment is from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. Jaundice is also a symptom of other disorders.This article is about jaundice in children and adults.See also: Newborn jaundice for information about babiesAlternative NamesYellow skin and eyes; Skin - yellow; Icterus; Eyes - yellow; JaundiceConsiderationsIf you've ever had a bruise, you may have noticed that the skin went through a series of color changes as it healed. When you saw yellow in the bruise, you were seeing bilirubin.Normally, about 1% of our red blood cells retire every day, to be replaced by fresh red blood cells. The old ones are handled by the liver. Bilirubin is left after blood cells are disposed of. It leaves the body in the stool.When too much bilirubin (yellow pigment) builds up in the body, jaundice may result.Jaundice can be caused by:Too many red blood cells retiring for the liver to handleThe liver being overloaded or damagedThe bilirubin from the liver is unable to move through the biliary tract to the gutThe skin may turn a yellow-to-orange color if you ingest too much beta carotene, the orange pigment in carrots. In this condition, the whites of the eyes remain white. People with true jaundice often have a yellowish tinge to the eyes. This condition is called hypercarotenemia, or just carotenemia.Common CausesCauses seen only in children include:Biliary atresiaDisorders present since birth that cause problems processing bilirubin (Gilbert syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, or Crigler-Najjar syndrome)Causes in adults include:Alcoholic liver disease (alcoholic cirrhosis)Autoimmune hepatitisBlocked or narrowed bile ducts (by infection, tumor, stricture, or gallstones)Cancer of the pancreasDisorders present since birth that cause problems processing bilirubin (Gilbert syndrome, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, or Crigler-Najjar syndrome)Drug-induced cholestasisDrug-induced hepatitisHemolytic anemia (when the body is destroying too many blood cells)Ischemic hepatocellular jaundice (jaundice caused by not enough oxygen or blood to the liver)Jaundice of pregnancy (bile may build up in the gallbladder because of pressure in the abdomen during pregnancy)MalariaPrimary biliary cirrhosisViral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E)See also: Newborn jaundice for information about babiesHome CareThe cause of jaundice must be determined before treatment can be given. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.Call your health care provider ifAll jaundice in a child or adult should be medically evaluated. Always call your doctor if jaundice is present.What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe health care provider will perform a physical examination. To help diagnose the cause of yellow skin, your health care provider will ask medical history questions, such as:Is the inside of the mouth (mucus membranes) yellow?Are the eyes yellow?When did the jaundice start?Has the jaundice occurred repeatedly?What other symptoms are present?The following diagnostic tests may be performed:Blood serum bilirubinComplete blood countLiver biopsyLiver function tests and cholesterolProthrombin timeUltrasound of the abdomenUrine and fecal urobilinogenReferencesBerk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 150.Boamah L, Balistreri WF. Manifestations of liver disease. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 352.Moyer V, Freese DK, Whitington PF, Olson AD, Brewer F, Colletti RB, Heyman MB. Guideline for the evaluation of cholestatic jaundice in infants: recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2004;39(2):115-128.Piazza AJ, Stoll BJ. Digestive system disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 102This article uses information by permission from Alan Greene, M.D., © Greene Ink, Inc.