Generally speaking, yellow skin on your feet is nothing to be concerned about. The intense pressure and friction that feet experience can result in the growth of thick, discolored skin. Yellow feet can occasionally be a symptom of a deeper issue.
Find out what causes yellow feet and when you should visit a doctor by continuing to read.
Causes of Yellow Feet
Calluses
Calluses are a buildup of tougher, dead skin, whether they are on a small patch of skin or the entire bottom of your feet. It actually develops in response to excessive pressure on your skin that could otherwise cause it to break as your body attempts to protect itself from harm.
While some calluses may appear rough and dry and possibly cause cracked heels, other areas may feel rubbery and appear yellow. Our arteries and capillaries carry oxygenated blood, which is what gives our skin its healthy color. Thick calluses conceal and cover this, resulting in thickened yellow patches.
Your Diet
Skin yellowing can be caused by both carotenemia and anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough red blood cells to adequately transport oxygen to its tissues. The skin can appear pale and yellow due to insufficient hemoglobin in red blood cells, a lack of blood cells in general, and a general redistribution of blood cells to vital organs rather than the skin surface.
The palms and soles of the feet turn yellow in carotenemia due to elevated levels of carotenoids in the body. Aside from diabetes, liver, kidney, thyroid, and cholesterol problems, which make it difficult for the body to eliminate the carotenoids as bodily waste, this could also result from excessive and prolonged consumption of foods high in carotene (typical foods with an orange color, like carrots).
Raynaud’s
Our feet can quickly become pale and yellow when our blood vessels constrict and restrict the blood flow to them. This is what happens with Raynaud, with exposure to the cold and emotional stress serving as its main causes. Compared to the other causes of yellow feet, this one affects patches at both the tops and bottoms of the feet and has a tendency to be much more patchy.
Jaundice
A waste substance called bilirubin is created when your blood cells naturally degrade in the body. Your skin and other parts of your body start to turn yellow when too much bilirubin accumulates in your body.
Jaundice is a potentially serious condition that necessitates a trip to the doctor because it is frequently accompanied by other underlying issues like infections, liver failure, and more. Check your eye whites if you’re concerned about jaundice because jaundice frequently causes these to turn yellow.
Carotenemia
When your bloodstream contains an excessive amount of carotenoids, you develop carotenemia. In many vibrantly colored vegetables and fruits, there are substances called carotenoids that are yellow in color. The natural color of your skin is affected by these ingredients, which are a regular component of a balanced diet. The typical method by which carotenoids leave your body is through sweat, feces, urine, or skin oils.
However, if an excessive amount accumulates in your blood, it can cause your skin to turn yellow. The areas of your hands and feet with this discoloration tend to be most noticeable.
Carotenemia can result from a variety of factors, including the foods you eat and specific medical conditions.
Other Causes
Conditions that interfere with how your body uses and eliminates carotenoids can also cause carotenemia. Common conditions that might do this include:
• high cholesterol• hypothyroidism• diabetes• kidney conditions• liver conditions
All of these ailments can lead to a buildup of carotenoids in your bloodstream, where they may eventually start to affect your skin.