Yellowing of the skin, known as jaundice, is a common condition with newborns, which usually resolves as the baby’s liver develops. However, with adults, yellow skin can be a symptom of several different health conditions, specifically diseases that affect the liver.
Jaundice is the medical term that describes the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice itself is not a disease, but it is a symptom of several possible underlying illnesses. Jaundice occurs when there is an excessive amount of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created by the breakdown of dead red blood cells in the liver.
Jaundice may indicate a serious problem with the function of your red blood cells, liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
Many internal conditions can cause yellowing of the skin, including:
Newborn jaundice
Newborn jaundice is a common condition that occurs when a baby has a high level of bilirubin in the blood soon after birth. It often resolves on its own as a baby’s liver develops and the baby begins to feed, which helps bilirubin pass through the body.
Very high levels of bilirubin can put a baby at risk for deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage, so jaundice should be carefully monitored if it occurs after birth.
The first sign of jaundice is the yellowing of the skin or eyes, which begins shortly after birth and may start on the face before spreading down the body.
Breast milk jaundice
This type of jaundice is
It can cause:
- yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes
- fatigue
- difficulty with weight gain
- high-pitched crying
Usually, it doesn’t cause any problems and eventually goes away on its own.
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. The disorder
There are three main types of thalassemia that vary in symptoms and severity. Symptoms include:
- bone deformities (especially in the face)
- dark urine
- delayed growth and development
- excessive tiredness and fatigue
- yellow or pale skin
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer occurs when the cells of the pancreas, which is a vital endocrine organ located behind the stomach, become cancerous and grow out of control.
It may be difficult to detect and is often diagnosed in more advanced stages of the disease.
Common symptoms include:
- loss of appetite
- unintentional weight loss
- abdominal (stomach) or lower back pain
- blood clots
- jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- depression
Hepatitis
Infection by the hepatitis virus causes this type of liver inflammation. It spreads through:
- direct contact with infected blood
- being pricked with a contaminated needle or sharing needles
- transfer from mother to baby during birth
- oral, vaginal, and anal sex without condom protection
- using a razor or any other personal item with remnants of infected fluid
Common symptoms include:
- fatigue
- dark urine
- joint and muscle pain
- loss of appetite
- fever
- abdominal discomfort
- weakness and yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclera) and skin (jaundice)
Complications of chronic hepatitis infection include liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, and liver cancer.
Hepatitis infection can be prevented with routine immunization.
Alcoholic related liver disease
This inflammatory condition of the liver is caused by heavy alcohol consumption over an extended period of time.
Symptoms vary depending on the amount of damage to the liver, but can include:
- easy bleeding or bruising
- fatigue
- changes in your mental state (including confusion)
- jaundice (or yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- pain or swelling in the abdomen
- nausea and vomiting
- weight loss
Gallstones
Gallstones form when there’s a high concentration of bile, bilirubin, or cholesterol in the fluid stored inside the gallbladder.
They typically do not cause symptoms or pain until they obstruct the opening of the gallbladder or the bile ducts.
Upper right abdomen pain or stomach pain occurs after eating foods that are high in fat. Other symptoms include:
- pain accompanied by nausea
- vomiting
- dark urine
- white stools
- diarrhea
- burping
- indigestion
A healthcare professional will first conduct blood tests to determine the cause of your jaundice. A blood test can not only determine the total amount of bilirubin in your body, but also help detect indicators of other diseases such as hepatitis.
Other diagnostic tests may be used, including:
- liver function tests, a series of blood tests that measure levels of certain proteins and enzymes the liver produces when it’s healthy and when it’s damaged
- complete blood count (CBC), to see if you have any evidence of hemolytic anemia
- imaging studies, which may include abdominal ultrasounds (using high-frequency sound waves to generate images of your internal organs) or CT scans
- liver biopsies, which involves removing small samples of liver tissue for testing and microscopic examination
Treating jaundice in newborns
The severity of jaundice in newborns is generally diagnosed with a blood test. A small blood sample is taken by pricking the infant’s toe. A pediatrician will recommend treatment if the results indicate moderate to severe jaundice.
As, jaundice itself isn’t a disease but a symptom of several possible underlying illnesses, the type of treatment a healthcare professional recommends for jaundice depends on its cause.
This can include addressing infections, treatments such as phototherapy, and surgery.
Once treatment begins, your yellow skin will likely return to its usual state.
Yellowing of the skin, known as jaundice, is a common condition with newborns, which usually resolves as the baby’s liver develops. However, with adults, yellow skin can be a symptom of several different health conditions, specifically diseases that affect the liver.
Jaundice usually clears up when the underlying cause is treated.
If you notice yellowing skin, you should speak with a healthcare professional immediately to rule out any serious underlying causes.