Why Are My Feet Yellow?

Yellowing of the skin on the feet is most often harmless. Your feet undergo constant pressure and friction, which can result in thickened, discolored patches of skin. In uncommon situations, however, it may point to an underlying medical issue.

Read on to find out what can cause yellow feet and when it’s important to consult a physician.

Calluses

Calluses are areas of toughened, thickened skin that commonly form on the soles of the feet. They develop where the skin is exposed to repeated rubbing or sustained pressure. This makes the bottoms of the feet — especially the balls and heels — frequent sites for callus formation.

Although they can resemble normal skin, calluses are usually denser and may be discolored. Other indicators of a callus include:

• dry, flaky patches
• a waxy appearance
• firm, hardened skin

Calluses are generally not painful and only need treatment if their look bothers you. If you want to remove them, consider over-the-counter products and simple home remedies.

Jaundice

Jaundice causes a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It happens when bilirubin — a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down — accumulates in the body. Under normal conditions, bilirubin is processed by the liver and passed into the digestive tract to be expelled as waste.

If your body cannot eliminate bilirubin effectively, it builds up in the bloodstream and seeps into the skin. When jaundice is the culprit behind yellow feet, you’ll often notice a yellow tint in other parts of the body as well.

Several factors can lead to jaundice, such as:

• liver diseases like hepatitis or cirrhosis
• liver failure
• inflammation or blockage of the bile ducts
• drugs or illnesses that cause red blood cell breakdown
• certain herbal supplements

If you suspect jaundice, seek medical attention promptly. A doctor can run a bilirubin blood test and follow up with further diagnostics to determine the cause.

Carotenemia

Carotenemia develops when carotenoids — yellow-orange pigments present in many vividly colored fruits and vegetables — accumulate in the bloodstream. These compounds are a normal part of a balanced diet and contribute to natural skin tones. Typically, carotenoids leave the body via urine, stool, sweat, or skin oils.

But when carotenoid levels get too high, they can tint the skin yellow. This discoloration is most noticeable on the palms and the soles of the feet.

Carotenemia can result from diet or from health conditions that affect how your body handles carotenoids.

Diet

Consuming very large amounts of carotenoid-rich foods — yes, including carrots — can impart a yellowish hue to the skin. Other foods that may cause carotenemia include:

• pumpkin
• squash
• sweet potatoes
• peppers
• green leafy vegetables
• citrus fruits
• dietary supplements

It typically takes an unusually large intake of these foods over several weeks to notice skin discoloration. If your yellow feet are due to excessive consumption of carotenoid-packed foods, the color should fade after you cut back on those items.

Other causes

Carotenemia can also arise from conditions that alter how the body metabolizes or clears carotenoids. Examples include:

• high cholesterol
• underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Each of these can lead to carotenoid buildup in the blood, eventually affecting skin tone.

Be aware that liver disease may cause both carotenemia and jaundice, which can appear similar. If a liver condition is suspected, a straightforward blood test can help your doctor determine the underlying reason for yellowed skin.

How is it diagnosed?

If the yellowing is limited to your feet, consider visiting a podiatrist — a doctor who specializes in foot disorders. They can typically recognize calluses and other local causes of discoloration.

You can also find a physician near you with the Healthline FindCare tool. Additionally, if your feet are yellow and you also notice changes elsewhere on your body, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. They may order tests such as:

• complete blood count (CBC)
• liver function tests
• blood glucose measurement
• beta-carotene level
• bilirubin blood test
• cholesterol testing

Based on those results, imaging studies like a CT scan or MRI might be used to further clarify the diagnosis.

When to be concerned

Occasionally, yellowing of the skin can indicate a serious or emergent medical problem. Contact your doctor right away if yellow skin is accompanied by any of the following:

• bloody or black stools
• fever
• mental changes such as confusion or excessive sleepiness
• severe abdominal pain or tenderness
• vomiting blood
• unexplained easy bruising or bleeding

The bottom line

Yellow feet can be alarming, but most often they’re due to skin thickening on the soles or to a diet rich in colorful produce. In some cases, though, yellowing may signal a medical condition that needs attention, so it’s wise to consult your doctor if you notice other concerning symptoms. For foot-specific concerns, a podiatrist can help identify issues related to runners feet and other causes of discoloration.