Skin discoloration can be quite disconcerting if you do not understand the cause for it. Even if the etiological factor is benign, and the discoloration responds quickly to medications, yellow discoloration indicates that some process or a certain substance may be burdening the body. There are a host of factors responsible for the skin turning yellowish, and it is vital that you talk to your doctor to establish the cause.
Yellow discoloration of the feet tends to cause immense worry and apprehension. Thus, it is best that you visit your health care professional.
He may ask you to carry out a few investigations, such as, blood picture, sonogram and X ray. These will help decide the exact cause for the yellow feet.
Causes Of Yellow Discoloration Of The Skin
Here are certain causative factors for the occurrence of yellowish discoloration:
- Jaundice
Jaundice is a symptom that occurs due to excessive amounts of bilirubin in the blood. The causes for jaundice are several. Bilirubin is a buildup of old RBCs that have been processed by the liver. Excessive bilirubin builds up if the liver is damaged, diseased or overwhelmed by too many RBCs retiring, or if there is a disorder in the biliary duct.
Bilirubin that fails to escape is seen as yellow pigmentation of the skin. Neonatal jaundice is relatively normal; bruises turn yellow when they heal; malaria, hepatitis, hemolytic anemia, pancreatic cancer and cirrhosis are serious causes of jaundice.
- Hypercarotenemia
Hypercarotenemia is a harmless condition which occurs due to a buildup of beta carotene in the tissue. It develops when you consume excessive amounts of beta carotene rich food, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, oranges and spinach. The palms and soles on the feet turn a yellow hue. Hypercarotenemia occasionally signifies anorexia nervosa.
- Yellow Nails
If your nails have turned yellow, something has slowed down the growth of the nails. Common causes are: respiratory disorders or lymphedema.
- TNT Poisoning
TNT or trinitrotoluene is an explosive that poisons whoever handles it. Those who work with TNT develop a yellow discoloration of the hands and feet. This occurs due to the nitro groups within the TNT that react with the pigment melanin in the skin.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Hands And Feet?
It is essential that you consult your health care professional in case you have persistently yellow hands and feet. It is crucial to make the exact diagnosis and understand the underlying cause for the discoloration.
- Once the investigations and tests are carried out, you doctor will embark on the most appropriate line of treatment.
- Causes such as hypercarotenemia, anemia and TNT can be tackled easily; reduce your intake of beta carotene foods and your exposure to the explosive. Anemia is managed by eating iron rich foods and talking a supplement for about a month or two.
- Underlying causes such as liver diseases – hepatitis, cirrhosis, malaria and cancer need to be treated suitably.
- Likewise, lymphedema and respiratory conditions triggering yellow discoloration are managed with the correct medications and surgical care.
