From the Guidelines
Carotenemia typically does not require medical treatment. This harmless condition occurs when excess carotene (a pigment found in orange and yellow vegetables) builds up in the bloodstream, causing yellowish discoloration of the skin, particularly on the palms, soles, and face. Unlike jaundice, the whites of the eyes remain clear. To reduce the yellow discoloration, simply decrease consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and leafy greens. The skin color will gradually return to normal within a few weeks to months after dietary modification. Carotenemia is especially common in infants eating large amounts of orange vegetables and in people following restrictive diets with high vegetable intake. The condition is benign and causes no health problems - the body simply cannot process all the carotene, so it deposits in the skin.
Some studies have investigated the relationship between carotenoids and cancer risk, but these are not directly relevant to the treatment of carotenemia 1. For example, a study published in 2006 found that consuming vegetables and fruits that contain beta carotene may be helpful in reducing cancer risk, but high-dose beta carotene supplements should be avoided 1. However, this does not impact the recommendation for treating carotenemia, as the condition is not related to cancer risk. If you're concerned about persistent skin discoloration or if the whites of your eyes also appear yellow, consult a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like jaundice.
Key points to consider:
- Carotenemia is a harmless condition that does not require medical treatment
- Decreasing consumption of carotene-rich foods can help reduce yellow discoloration of the skin
- The condition is benign and causes no health problems
- If concerned about skin discoloration, consult a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions like jaundice.
From the Research
Carotenemia Treatment
- Carotenemia is a condition characterized by yellow discoloration of the skin and elevated blood carotene levels, typically caused by excessive ingestion of carotene-rich foods 2, 3, 4.
- In most cases, carotenemia is a benign condition that does not require treatment, and the skin discoloration will resolve on its own once the intake of carotene-rich foods is reduced 4.
- However, if the condition is caused by an underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, anorexia nervosa, liver disease, or kidney disease, treatment of the underlying condition may be necessary 2, 3.
- In some cases, carotenemia may be caused by a genetic defect in the metabolism of carotenoids, and treatment may involve a carotene-deficient diet 5.
- Reducing or avoiding carotene-rich foods can help alleviate the symptoms of carotenemia, as seen in a case where a patient's serum carotene level decreased and skin color improved after changing to a balanced diet 6.
When to Seek Medical Attention
- If you are experiencing yellow discoloration of the skin and are concerned about carotenemia, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other underlying medical conditions 2, 3.
- A healthcare professional can perform a physical examination, take a medical history, and order laboratory tests to determine the cause of the skin discoloration and provide appropriate treatment 2, 6.