A yellowish skin as a whole or in specific body areas can be a warning that something is not quite right in our body, so it is a sign to which we must pay attention. However, this does not mean that if you have the soles of the yellow feet have to jump all the alarms, since there are several possible causes of this anomaly and many do not involve health risk.
A dermal condition, foot fungus, or the presence of calluses, for example, are common causes that can be easily treated. Even so, it is always important to find out the causes of yellow feet with a necessary medical consultation. And why do I have yellow feet? In this. article, we point out the most common causes and give you some home remedies for yellow feet.
Jaundice: One of the possible causes why you have yellow feet is jaundice. We speak of jaundice when the skin, including that of the soles of the feet, and the mucous membranes have a yellow hue caused by the excessive presence of bilirubin in the body.
Bilirubin is a substance that is part of the blood hemoglobin and is released in the natural process of renewal of our red blood cells. When it is not eliminated correctly, its levels can increase excessively, causing, among other dysfunctions, an abnormal coloration in the skin.
Jaundice can be behind yellow feet in very young children (newborns) and is usually a phenomenon that disappears spontaneously. In the case of adults, some pathology related to the liver may be the cause.
Anemia
If the skin or soles of the yellow feet are joined by symptoms such as fatigue, weakness or extreme tiredness for no reason, anemia could be behind this situation. Although there are different types of anemia, in general it is due to the lack of basic nutrients such as iron and vitamin D. The lack of these nutrients can cause the number of red blood cells in the blood to decrease compared to normal values.
Pale or yellowish complexion is, in this case, a clear warning sign. If you want to know more symptoms of this pathology, take a look at this other article: How to know if I have anemia.
Liver or kidney disease
Some pathologies related to the malfunction of the liver or kidneys may also explain why you have yellow feet. Hepatitis, cirrhosis or kidney failure, as well as obstruction of the bile ducts, may be behind this symptom. They are quite serious conditions that require immediate medical attention, so if you think you may suffer from them, we recommend that you consult with a doctor.
Fungal infection
The presence of foot fungus is one of the most frequent causes of yellow tone on the skin of the feet, especially if you also have yellow toenails. It is a fungus of the dermatophyte family that begins infecting the skin under the nails and can also spread to the soles of the feet.
Among other effects, fungal infection affects the keratin of the skin, causing that yellowish or brown color in the dermis of the area.
If you think you might have fungus, check out this other article on How to Tell If I Have Foot Fungus.
Carotenemia
Carotenemia is not a disease, but a change in the natural coloration of the skin whose origin lies in an excess of beta-carotene due to an inadequate diet. Carrots, pumpkin, peppers…, among other red or orange fruits and vegetables, are a natural source of beta-carotene. These antioxidants are very healthy, but, in excess, they can alter the natural pigmentation of the skin, including that of the palm of the hands and the soles of the feet.
In most cases, when this happens it is because there is a problem of hypothyroidism that hinders the transformation of beta-carotene into vitamin A. As a consequence, they accumulate in the body, causing yellowish skin.
Hyperlipoproteinemia
This pathology, usually linked to high levels of cholesterol in the blood, is another of the probable causes of alterations in skin coloration. It is the difficulty that the body presents to break down and assimilate fats correctly. Thus, the accumulation of undecomposed fats causes a change of coloration in certain parts of the body, such as the soles of the feet.
Raynaud's disease
When you have yellow and cold feet, especially if the feeling of cold and numbness is focused on the area of the fingers, there is the possibility of suffering the so-called Raynaud's phenomenon. It is an abnormal reaction to low temperatures or stress, causing the blood vessels of the peripheral system to contract excessively. As a consequence, the skin of the fingers becomes whitish or yellowish, although it can also acquire reddish or blue tones.
If you think the cause of your foot color change may be due to stress, don't miss this other article on How to Combat Stress.
Other causes of having yellow feet
In addition to the above causes, there are other answers to why you have yellow feet. Here are some of them.
- Diabetes.
- Hereditary diseases.
- Toxic substances such as trinitrotoluene (TNT).
- Metabolic alterations.
- Hypothyroidism.
Tips for treating yellow feet
Depending on the origin of the color alteration in the feet, it is best to go to the doctor to determine the treatment to follow. A simple blood test can give the professional the information they need to establish if the cause of yellow feet is due to any disease. He may also recommend changes in diet or prescribe a fungicidal ointment in case of foot fungus.
In addition to medical treatment, we can give you some tips on how to remove the yellow from the soles of your feet. These are harmless natural remedies that focus on eliminating much of that yellowish skin, also applying some natural ‘whiteners'. Here are some of them:
- Pedicure: soak your feet for a few minutes. Add to warm water a tablespoon of baking soda or half a glass of hydrogen peroxide. Both products combine two requirements to be an excellent remedy against yellow feet: they are powerful bleaching and also have disinfectant properties.
- Crushed potatoes: with dry feet, try to make a mash with previously boiled crushed potatoes. When they are cold, make a porridge and apply it on the soles of your feet as if it were a cream. Let the remedy act for a few minutes and remove with water.
- Lemon: rub the soles of your feet twice a week with half a lemon to get them clear progressively.
If this article on why I have yellow feet has been useful to you, don't miss this one about Why I feel my feet burning.
