Are your palms yellow? (Yellow Palms) - Let's talk about this!

Have you ever looked at your hands and thought, "Oh, my hands are a little yellow"? It's normal to feel a little scared when you see that. Some people think that this is a sign of a serious illness like jaundice . But don't worry. Most of the time, the reason for yellow hands can be something very simple, related to what you eat . So let's be clear about this.

Why does our palm turn yellow?

The main reason why palms often turn yellow is a condition called carotenemia . This is more of a yellow-orange coloration in some parts of our body, especially the palms and soles of our feet, rather than a disease.

Simply put, Carotenemia is caused by eating too many foods rich in the pigment carotene. Carotenoids are natural pigments that give fruits and vegetables their yellow and orange colors.

Imagine that you ate a lot of food like this for days on end:

• Carrot
• Pumpkin
• Papaya
• Mango
• Sweet potato
• Cabbage-like leaves

These foods are rich in carotene. When we eat too much of them, the excess carotene gets deposited in our skin, especially in areas with thick skin, like the palms and soles of our feet.

Is this common for young children?

Yes. This condition is more common in children and babies than in adults. Mothers often puree things like carrots and pumpkin for their babies. If they continue to give them too much, the baby's hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes both sides of the nose can turn yellow. Also, people who are accustomed to a vegetarian diet are more likely to develop this condition.

What if my palm turns yellow even though I don't eat foods rich in carotene?

Here's something we need to be a little careful about. If you don't eat a lot of carotene-rich foods, but your palms are turning yellow even when you're sitting normally, it could be a sign of another underlying medical condition. In such a case, it's important to see a doctor and get advice.

The table below shows some of the underlying medical conditions that can cause Carotenemia.

Is the increase in vitamin A also a cause of this? (Vitamin A Toxicity)

Yes, absolutely. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for our eyesight, skin, and immune system. But because it is a fat - soluble vitamin, when we take too much of it, it is not easily eliminated from the body and instead accumulates in the liver. This is called Hypervitaminosis A.

Carotenemia can also occur due to excessive intake of vitamin A, causing yellowing of the skin. This risk is especially high in people who take high-dose vitamin A supplements for a long time without medical advice.

Vitamin A toxicity can cause other symptoms in addition to yellowing of the skin.

What do you need to do about this?

The good news is that dietary carotenemia is not a dangerous condition and is very easy to treat.

1. Diet: The simplest thing to do is to temporarily reduce your intake of carotene-rich foods (like carrots, pumpkin, and papaya). If you do that, the yellowness of your skin will naturally fade within a few weeks or months.

2. Vitamin A control: If you suspect that your palms are turning yellow due to vitamin A supplements, talk to your doctor immediately and ask if you should stop taking them. Never take vitamins, even without medical advice.

3. Medical advice: If you have other symptoms like fatigue, weight loss , or stomach ache along with your yellowing of the skin, definitely see a doctor and get something like a blood test. That way, you can know for sure if the cause is another medical condition.

Finally, don't panic if you notice a change in the color of your palm. It's often a simple matter. But if you have any doubts, it's wise to talk to a doctor without panicking.