Yellow skin on your feet is usually nothing to worry about. Feet endure a lot of pressure and friction, which can lead to the development of thick, discolored skin. In rare cases, yellow feet may be a sign of an underlying condition.
The changed color of the feet can indicate various health conditions. Sometimes you may notice the yellowish color of your toe and nails; moreover, it can cover the whole sole area too, and you must know the causes and the ways to get rid of that.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes and more.
1. Calluses
Calluses are thick layers of hardened skin that often develop on the bottom of your feet. They’re more common in areas that experience a lot of friction or regularly have pressure applied to them. This makes the bottom of your feet, including the balls of your feet and heels, particularly prone to calluses.
They look similar to regular skin, but calluses are usually thicker and may be discolored. Other signs of a callus include:
– dry, flaky skin
– waxy looking skin
– hard, thick skin
Calluses are typically painless and only require treatment if their appearance bothers you.
2. Anemia
One of the most common causes of changed skin color especially appeared yellow. An anemic person can also feel fatigued, have a sore tongue, headaches, stress, hair fall, pale skin, difficulty breathing, etc.
Adding iron supplements and an iron-rich diet can solve the issue.
3. Jaundice
When you have jaundice, your skin and the whites of your eyes look yellow. It occurs when your body contains too much of a substance called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a natural, yellow byproduct that forms when your body breaks down old red blood cells. It typically travels through your liver and into your digestive tract. It’s then eliminated as waste.
When your body can’t properly remove bilirubin, it builds up in your bloodstream and leaks into your skin. If jaundice is causing your yellow feet, you’ll likely notice a yellow tint around other areas as well.
Several things can cause jaundice, including:
– liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
– liver failure
– inflammation or a blockage in the bile ducts
– medications or conditions that destroy red blood cells
– certain herbal supplements
See your doctor right away if you have symptoms of jaundice. They can do a bilirubin blood test, followed by additional testing to figure out what’s causing it.
4. Raynaud’s Phenomena
Raynaud’s disease is a rare skin disorder and affects only the toenails, and a person may feel numbness and cold when the temperature gets down.
In this genetic disorder, emotional stress is included, and you may notice yellow patches and skin discoloration with a tingling sensation and medical care required in this case.
5. Carotenemia
Carotenemia occurs when you have too many carotenoids in your bloodstream. Carotenoids are yellow substances that are found in many brightly colored vegetables and fruits. These substances are a normal part of a healthy diet, and they contribute to the natural color of your skin. Carotenoids usually leave your body through urine, stool, sweat, or skin oils.
However, if too many build up in your blood, it can make your skin yellow. This discoloration tends to show up the most on your palms and the soles of your feet.
Many things can cause carotenemia, including the foods you eat and certain health conditions.
6. Lycopenemia
Consuming such food rich in lycopene, including berries, tomatoes, apricots, beans, and watermelon, can also cause changes in skin color and the bottom of the feet.
Changing in diet can solve the problem, and this is a harmless issue so don’t be worry much.
7. Certain Food
Various studies stated that certain food and ingredients like turmeric could also turn the feet yellow even the whole skin color changed. Turmeric is a powerful spice used in various cuisine as it has healing agents with anti-inflammatory qualities.
How to Get rid of Yellow Feet
There are many home remedies available to get rid of yellow feet:-
– Less intake of carotene-rich food and add more green vegetables and juicy fruits loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals.
– Drink plenty of water and if you notice any sign of fungal infection, then use anti-bacterial and anti-fungal ointment and soak the feet in water mixed with tea tree oil.
For eliminating calluses
– Soak the feet for 5-10 minutes in lukewarm water and add some Epsom salt or baking soda and after soaking, use a scrubber or pumice stone and rub well to remove dead skin and calluses. Repeat once a day for 2-3 weeks.
– Rubbing a fresh garlic clove can also help to reduce the infection.
Other ways:
If you are anemic or suffering from jaundice or severe other illness, then proper medical supervision would be needed to treat the bottom of your feet.
Keep checking the blood sugar level, and if you ever had a surgical process of feet or had any cuts, scars, or wounds and notice the condition is out of control, you mustn’t delay seeing a podiatrist.
Bottoms of feet yellow: Dos and Don’t
– Maintaining proper feet hygiene is a must to prevent any bacterial infection. Wash feet properly with soap, dry them and check out for toenails hygiene.
– Wear good quality shoes and socks and avoid high-heels or tight-fitted footwear.
– Add a healthy diet rich in iron, vitamin B12, and zinc without excess calories and fat. With that, avoid direct sun exposure for a prolonged time.
– Don’t eat such food that contains much beta-carotene.
References: healthline.com, righthomeremedies.com
