Differential Diagnosis for Erythematous Discoloration
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Carotenemia: A harmless condition caused by excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich foods, leading to yellow-orange discoloration of the skin, particularly on the hands, feet, and face.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Flush reaction: A common reaction to certain medications, foods, or emotional states, causing temporary erythema (redness) of the skin, often affecting the face, neck, and upper body.
- Sunburn: Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can cause erythema, particularly on exposed areas like the hands, feet, face, and neck.
- Rosacea: A chronic skin condition characterized by recurrent episodes of flushing, erythema, and acne-like lesions, primarily affecting the face.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: A life-threatening condition that can cause cherry-red discoloration of the skin, particularly on the hands, feet, and face, due to the binding of carbon monoxide to hemoglobin.
- Sepsis: A severe, potentially life-threatening response to infection, which can cause widespread erythema, including on the hands, feet, and face.
- Thyroid storm: A rare, life-threatening complication of untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism, which can cause flushing, erythema, and other systemic symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses
- Erythromelalgia: A rare disorder characterized by burning pain, heat, and erythema in the hands and feet, often accompanied by flushing of the face and neck.
- Polycythemia vera: A rare blood disorder that can cause erythema, particularly on the hands, feet, and face, due to increased red blood cell mass and viscosity.