Q. Can orange foods turn my skin orange?
A. Yes, the same substances that make foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges orange can also give skin a yellow-orange cast, a condition called carotenoderma or carotenemia. These substances are collectively called carotenoids and include beta-carotein, lycopene, and lutein, all of which have beneficial roles for health but are also pigments that contribute to the skin’s normal color. When consumed in abundance, they can accumulate in skin; the discoloration is most noticeable on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and knees. “It doesn’t have to be orange foods,” says Joseph English, a dermatologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Carotenoids are found in apples, asparagus, leafy green vegetables, and many other foods, as well as supplements.
Other than the cosmetic effects, English says there’s no concern about toxicity or health problems from a diet high in carotenoids. But, he adds, “if you see your skin turning yellow or orange, go see your doctor” to make sure diet is the cause. Although carotenoderma is most often caused by foods, it can also be a symptom of hypothyroidism, diabetes, anorexia nervosa, or problems with the liver or kidney.
Yellow skin can also be caused by jaundice, a buildup of a yellow pigment called bilirubin in the blood, which can indicate liver disease or another underlying health problem. The most noticeable difference, English says, is that jaundice usually turns the whites of the eyes yellow as well as the skin.
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