Carotenemiais a condition in whichyellow- or orange-colored skindevelops due to high levels of beta-carotene in the blood.
It is often resulting from eating excessive amounts of foods or supplements high in the nutrientcarotene.
It can be resolved by reducing carotene intake and should not result in complications.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This article explains carotenemia symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Carotenemia Symptoms
The hallmark symptom of carotenemia is yellow- or orange-hued skin calledcarotenoderma.
Carotenoderma across the whole body is rare.
A telltale sign of carotenoderma is its enhanced appearance under artificial light.
Causes
In carotenemia, there are high levels of beta-carotene in the blood.
Carotene is the main nutrient converted into vitamin A in the body.
The most common cause of carotenemia is an excessive intake of carotene-rich foods over months.
Foods high in carotene include red, yellow, orange, and dark leafy green fruits and vegetables.
Infants and toddlers eating large amounts of orange and green pureed vegetables may develop carotenemia.
This might, at first, be confused with jaundice.
They will also take a detailed dietary history, focusing on high-carotene foods and nutritional supplements.
Carotenemia resulting from the diet does not usually require laboratory confirmation.
However, a healthcare provider may order blood tests to validate the diagnosis.
However, its important to not completely avoid carotene-containing foods, as they provide many essential health-promoting nutrients.
For example, suppose it is determined that diabetes orhigh blood sugar (glucose) levelsare causing carotenemia.
Diet-induced carotenemia is nonprogressive and is unlikely to lead to any serious consequences.
Summary
Carotenemia is yellow or orange-hued skin due to high carotene levels in the blood.
Rarer causes of carotenemia include hypothyroidism, diabetes, anorexia nervosa, and pregnancy.
A healthcare provider can diagnose carotenemia based on a diet history and physical exam.
Carotenemia is usually not serious and does not progress to other body systems.
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