Yellow Hands? Here’s Why, and What to Do

Jaundice typically causes the whites of the eyes to turn yellow, while carotenemia only affects the skin.

If you suddenly have yellow hands, chances are it has been caused by one of these two conditions: jaundice, which can be dangerous, or carotenemia, which usually isn’t.

“This disease is often seen in newborn babies — however, adults can develop it too,” says Michele S. Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

“As new red blood cells develop, old ones die, and the liver helps filter the dead red blood cells out of the bloodstream. However, if the liver is not functioning properly, bilirubin [a pigment released by broken-down red blood cells] can accumulate and lead to yellowing of the skin,” Dr. Green says.

• Pale or light-colored stools that are unusually smelly
• Brown or dark-yellow urine
• Itchiness (all over the body, in many cases)
• Pain or tenderness of the abdomen
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Fever
• Drowsiness, confusion, agitation, or other symptoms that signal a change in mental alertness

Yellow hands do not necessarily indicate that you have jaundice, says Green. “It can be related to carotenemia, a condition that’s caused by an excess consumption of carotenoids,” she says.

“Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables — for example carrots and pumpkins — and when consumed in high amounts, it causes the carotenoid levels to increase, and the pigment is translated in the skin,” she explains.

• Spinach
• Sweet potato
• Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Mango
• Apricot

“The yellowish color is mostly noticed on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet,” Green says.

According to Green, jaundice can be a sign of some very serious underlying medical conditions related to the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

“Any damage to the liver, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, can lead to jaundice,” she says. “In these cases, the liver can’t secrete bilirubin properly, which results in a buildup. Inflammation or obstruction of the bile ducts [tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine to aid in digestion] can also lead to jaundice, because this prevents the liver from excreting bilirubin.”

“Another underlying cause of jaundice is pancreatic cancer,” Green says. “In this situation, it blocks the common bile duct, not allowing the bile to be released into the small intestine, leading to buildup of bile in the bloodstream.”

Carotenemia, on the other hand, is generally not dangerous, Green says — unless it’s caused by an underlying illness that prevents the body from converting carotenoids into vitamin A, such as liver disease or hypothyroidism.

“Then it can be alarming,” she says. “In this situation, your doctor can determine what’s causing carotenemia and how to properly treat it.”

Green strongly recommends contacting your doctor right away if you start to notice yellowing of your skin, because it could be an indication of an underlying disease. She says that there are many tests that can be done to determine if you have jaundice.

“Blood tests allow physicians to see if your bilirubin levels are high and also measure levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets,” she says. “From there, your physician can examine the liver to see if there’s any obstruction, by performing imaging tests such as MRI and CT scans. To determine if there’s inflammation, cancer, or cirrhosis of the liver, a biopsy is done. Whether your jaundice is a symptom of liver disease or related to the pancreas, your doctor can help treat the underlying cause.”

Jaundice on its own usually isn’t treated, according to Green. “However, your physician can treat the underlying condition that’s causing it in the first place,” she says.

The Takeaway

• Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and it can be a sign of certain serious underlying medical conditions that affect the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
• Carotenemia is typically not dangerous and usually results from excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkins, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
• You should seek medical attention promptly if you notice yellowing of your skin, as it could indicate an underlying disease.