After a soak, you may find your feet are a little red.
But what does it mean if the bottoms of your feet are yellow?
While you may not love the way they look, theyre usually not a danger to your health.
Why are the bottoms of my feet yellow?
There are many possible causes of yellowing feet.
Here are the most common:
1.
board-certified podiatrist and founder ofStep Up Footcarein New York City
Calluses and corns
Your yellow feet could be resulting from calluses or corns.
Along with yellow, thick, hardened skin, corns and calluses may also be flaky and dry.
They protect the underlying bone from excess pressure, Dr. Lobkova says.
How to treat it:
However, corns and calluses could become painful, Dr. Lobkova says.
They may even bleed.
If they bother you, she recommends trying an over-the-counter (OTC) urea cream.
Heres how to use it:
Urea cream is a safer option compared to OTC corn or callus pads.
They can macerate normal skin and cause wounds or infections, Dr. Lobkova says.
A podiatrist can remove the hardened skin safely.
board-certified podiatrist and founder ofStep Up Footcarein New York City
Plantar warts
Other skin lesions can also appear yellow on the bottom of the feet, Dr. Lobkova says.
Case in point: plantar warts.
Like calluses, warts cause a buildup of skin on the bottom of your feet she says.
Because they look alike, warts are commonly mistaken for being a callus or a corn, she says.
I see this almost daily in clinical practice.
When these byproducts accumulate in the tissue and skin, they can cause discoloration, she says.
They can do a simple blood test to determine whether youre dealing with anemia.
Once diagnosed, anemia may be treated with appropriate supplementation, Dr. Lobkova says.
Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 supplements.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that turns your skin yellowincluding the skin on your feet.
Jaundice occurs if the liver is busted properly, Dr. Lobkova says.
In fact, a telltale sign of jaundice is yellowing of the whites of your eyes.
In many cases, jaundiceand your yellow feetwill clear up once you treat the root cause.
Because some of these conditions are potentially life-threatening, see your doctor ASAP if you think you have jaundice.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Raynauds syndrome
Raynauds syndrome might be the reason for your yellow feet.
If you think youre dealing with Raynauds syndrome, speak with your doctor.
They can perform tests to diagnose the condition.
Treatment will depend on whether its triggered by another underlying health problem.
If it is, managing the root cause will be the first step.
But as the saying goes, you might have too much of a good thing.
When used in excess, turmeric can,well, turn you yellow.
Likewise, eating too much turmeric can lead to yellowing skin, too.
As we know, jaundice can make your skin yellow.
attempt to cut down on the amount of turmeric you use.
Over time, the yellow hue of your skin should fade.
But you might need to be patient.
Carotenemia
Crunching on carrots every day?
Your diet could be to blame for the bottom of your feet turning yellow.
Studies have found thatover 30 milligrams of carotenoids a daycan cause carotenemia, she says.
All of these things can become yellow or orange-tinted.
While carotenemia isnt dangerous, you may not be cool with your new orange hue.
Luckily, once you limit your intake of beta-carotene rich foods, your skin should return to normal.
Another helpful tip: Focus on getting a greater variety of foods.
Diabetes
Diabetes could cause discoloration in the legs and feet, Dr. Lobkova says.
Diabetes also causes excess dryness throughout the body, Dr. Lobkova says.
And, as we know, callused skin has the tendency to yellow.
This can be especially dangerous for someone with diabetes.
If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage your condition.
Keeping it well-managed is essential for your overall health.
Still, its important to note these changes as they happen, she says.
In some cases, discoloration and blood supply changes may indicate an urgent problem.
These are signs something more is going on and needs attention, Dr. Lobkova says.
FAQ
Does yellow foot mean diabetes?
There are many possible causes for yellowing feet, and diabetes is one of them.
Diabetes can cause discoloration in your feet and thickened, yellow toenails, according to the CDC.
And callused skin tends to have a yellow tint.
Open wounds can also be dangerous if they get infected.
What color should the bottom of your feet be?
But why the lighter hue?
This layer of skin is richer in nerve endings, sweat glands, and blood vessels, she says.
Thats why it looks different than skin on other parts of your body.
Why are my socks yellow when I take them off?
It is common for white socks to turn yellow after wear due to sweat stains, Dr. Lobkova says.
Although sweat is mostly water, its not 100 percent clear.
Your socks turn a yellow shade thanks to these substances.
Yellow socks could also be from fluid from popped blisters or pus from open wounds, Dr. Lobkova adds.
All the more reason to check your feet daily.
A quick scan before your shower will suffice.
If you notice any changesdiscoloration, dry skin, blisters, or soressee a podiatrist.
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