Why do I have orange-colored fat in my skin?
Orange-colored skin or fat is usually caused by carotenemia, a harmless condition from eating too many carotene-rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes. Unlike jaundice, it doesn't affect the whites of your eyes and resolves by reducing intake of orange foods.
Jump To Section
Understanding Orange Skin Discoloration
If you've noticed an orange tint to your skin, particularly on your palms, soles of your feet, or around your nose, you're likely experiencing carotenemia. This condition occurs when excess carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, accumulate in your skin and subcutaneous fat tissue. While the orange coloration might be alarming at first glance, carotenemia is generally harmless and reversible through dietary modifications.
The orange pigmentation develops because carotenoids are fat-soluble compounds that naturally deposit in the lipid-rich layers of your skin. When blood levels of these compounds exceed approximately 250-500 micrograms per deciliter, visible skin discoloration begins to appear. This threshold varies among individuals based on factors like skin thickness, natural skin tone, and metabolic rate.
What Causes Carotenemia?
Dietary Sources of Carotenoids
The most common cause of carotenemia is consuming large quantities of carotenoid-rich foods. Beta-carotene, the primary culprit, is abundant in orange and yellow vegetables, but it's also present in many green vegetables where chlorophyll masks its orange color. Understanding which foods contribute most to carotenoid intake can help you identify potential dietary causes.
Carotenoid Content in Common Foods
| Food Item | Beta-Carotene (mg per 100g) | Typical Serving Size | Carotenoid Load | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrot juice | Carrot juice | 9.3 mg | 1 cup (240ml) | Very High |
| Sweet potato | Sweet potato (cooked) | 8.5 mg | 1 medium | Very High |
| Carrots | Carrots (raw) | 8.3 mg | 1 medium | High |
| Spinach | Spinach (cooked) | 5.2 mg | 1 cup | High |
| Butternut squash | Butternut squash | 4.2 mg | 1 cup | Moderate |
| Kale | Kale (cooked) | 3.8 mg | 1 cup | Moderate |
Daily recommended intake is 3-6 mg. Consuming multiple high-carotenoid foods daily can lead to carotenemia.
- Carrots and carrot juice (highest concentration)
- Sweet potatoes and yams
- Pumpkin and winter squash
- Spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens
- Cantaloupe and apricots
- Red and yellow bell peppers
- Tomatoes and tomato products
Supplement-Related Causes
Beyond whole foods, dietary supplements can contribute significantly to carotenemia. Many multivitamins, antioxidant complexes, and specialized supplements contain concentrated forms of beta-carotene or mixed carotenoids. Some people taking high-dose vitamin A supplements (in the form of beta-carotene) for skin health, vision support, or immune function may develop orange discoloration as an unintended side effect.
Medical Conditions Affecting Carotene Metabolism
While diet is the primary cause, certain medical conditions can impair your body's ability to convert or eliminate carotenoids, leading to accumulation even with normal dietary intake. These conditions include hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and liver dysfunction. In these cases, the enzyme systems responsible for converting beta-carotene to vitamin A may be compromised, causing carotenoids to build up in tissues.
If you suspect an underlying metabolic issue might be contributing to your skin discoloration, comprehensive biomarker testing can help identify potential thyroid, liver, or kidney dysfunction. Regular monitoring of these systems through blood tests provides valuable insights into your overall metabolic health.
Carotenemia vs. Jaundice: Key Differences
One of the most important distinctions to make when evaluating orange or yellow skin discoloration is differentiating between carotenemia and jaundice. While both conditions can cause yellowing of the skin, they have vastly different implications for your health. Jaundice indicates elevated bilirubin levels and potential liver, gallbladder, or blood disorders, while carotenemia is nutritionally based and benign.
The most reliable way to distinguish between these conditions is examining the sclera (whites of the eyes). In carotenemia, the sclera remain white because carotenoids don't deposit in this tissue. In jaundice, the sclera turn yellow due to bilirubin accumulation. Additionally, carotenemia typically affects areas with thicker skin or higher fat content, while jaundice causes more uniform yellowing throughout the body.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Infants and Young Children
Infants and toddlers are particularly susceptible to carotenemia, especially during the transition to solid foods. Many commercial baby foods contain pureed carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash as primary ingredients. Parents who prioritize orange vegetables for their nutritional value may inadvertently cause temporary skin discoloration in their children. This is completely harmless and resolves once dietary variety increases.
Vegetarians and Health-Conscious Eaters
Individuals following plant-based diets or those who juice vegetables regularly may consume significantly higher amounts of carotenoids than the general population. While these dietary patterns offer numerous health benefits, they can lead to cosmetic skin changes. Juice cleanses featuring carrot juice as a primary ingredient are particularly likely to cause temporary orange discoloration.
People with Metabolic Conditions
Those with hypothyroidism, diabetes, or liver conditions may develop carotenemia more easily due to impaired carotene metabolism. In hypothyroidism, the reduced metabolic rate affects the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A. Similarly, liver dysfunction can impair the processing and storage of fat-soluble vitamins, leading to accumulation in peripheral tissues.
Upload your blood test results to track your progress
Seamlessly upload 3rd party biomarker & blood tests to track your whole health in 1 dashboard. Understand what each blood test means and how it fits into the bigger picture of your body and health.
Get diet and lifestyle recommendations based on your blood results, health profile and health goals. You'll also receive a custom supplement recommendation for the precise nutrients your body craves.
Upload Past Blood Test Results
Click or drag file to upload
Once you upload your report, we'll extract the results for your review. Works with top labs including Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, BioReference, EverlyWell, LetsGetChecked and hundreds of other labs.
Diagnosis and Testing Options
Diagnosing carotenemia typically begins with a visual examination and dietary history. Healthcare providers look for the characteristic orange discoloration in areas where it commonly appears: palms, soles, nasolabial folds, and forehead. The absence of scleral involvement helps rule out jaundice immediately.
Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis by measuring serum carotene levels, which are typically elevated above 250 micrograms per deciliter in carotenemia. Additionally, liver function tests including bilirubin, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase help rule out hepatic causes of skin discoloration. Thyroid function tests (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) may be warranted if metabolic causes are suspected.
For those interested in understanding their metabolic health comprehensively, including liver and thyroid function that can affect carotene metabolism, at-home testing provides convenient access to these important biomarkers. Regular monitoring helps identify potential issues before they become symptomatic.
If you have existing blood test results that include liver enzymes or thyroid markers, you can get a comprehensive analysis of your metabolic health status. The SiPhox Health free blood test analysis service provides personalized insights into your biomarkers, helping you understand whether metabolic factors might be contributing to carotenoid accumulation.
Treatment and Management Strategies
Dietary Modifications
The primary treatment for carotenemia is reducing intake of carotenoid-rich foods. This doesn't mean eliminating these nutritious foods entirely, but rather moderating consumption to more typical levels. Most people see improvement in skin color within 2-6 weeks of dietary changes, though complete resolution may take several months as stored carotenoids are gradually metabolized.
- Limit carrot and sweet potato intake to 2-3 servings per week
- Diversify vegetable choices to include more low-carotenoid options like cauliflower, cucumber, and zucchini
- Replace orange vegetable juices with green juices containing celery, cucumber, and herbs
- Review supplement labels and consider reducing beta-carotene supplementation
- Increase variety in protein sources and whole grains to balance overall nutrition
Addressing Underlying Conditions
If carotenemia persists despite dietary changes, investigating potential metabolic causes becomes important. Treating underlying hypothyroidism with appropriate thyroid hormone replacement can restore normal carotene metabolism. Similarly, managing diabetes through diet, exercise, and medication when necessary helps normalize metabolic processes affecting carotenoid processing.
Monitoring Progress
Track your progress by photographing affected areas weekly under consistent lighting conditions. This visual record helps you and your healthcare provider assess whether dietary changes are effective. Keep a food diary to identify hidden sources of carotenoids and ensure you're maintaining adequate nutrition while reducing specific foods.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While carotenemia itself is harmless, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions. Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following alongside skin discoloration:
- Yellow discoloration of the eye whites (scleral icterus)
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe fatigue or weakness
- Itching without rash
- Fever or night sweats
These symptoms may indicate liver disease, gallbladder problems, or other conditions requiring prompt medical intervention. Additionally, if dietary modifications don't improve skin color within 2-3 months, further evaluation for metabolic or absorption disorders may be necessary.
Prevention and Long-term Health Considerations
Preventing carotenemia involves maintaining a balanced, varied diet rather than focusing heavily on specific vegetables or supplements. While carotenoid-rich foods offer valuable antioxidants and nutrients, moderation ensures you receive benefits without cosmetic side effects. The recommended daily intake of beta-carotene is 3-6 mg for adults, equivalent to about one medium carrot or half a cup of cooked sweet potato.
Interestingly, some research suggests that mild carotenemia might offer photoprotective benefits, providing natural sun protection from within. However, this doesn't replace the need for proper sun protection through sunscreen and protective clothing. The antioxidant properties of carotenoids support overall health when consumed in appropriate amounts as part of a diverse diet.
For optimal health, focus on eating a rainbow of vegetables rather than concentrating on orange varieties alone. This approach ensures you receive a full spectrum of phytonutrients while preventing excessive accumulation of any single compound. Regular health monitoring through biomarker testing can help you maintain metabolic balance and identify any underlying issues affecting nutrient processing.
The Bottom Line on Orange Skin
Orange-colored fat or skin is typically a benign condition resulting from excessive consumption of carotenoid-rich foods. Unlike jaundice, which indicates potential liver problems, carotenemia is purely cosmetic and reversible through dietary adjustments. The key distinguishing feature is that carotenemia never affects the whites of the eyes, while jaundice does.
Most cases resolve within weeks to months of reducing intake of orange vegetables, carrots, and beta-carotene supplements. However, if you have concerns about underlying metabolic conditions or if dietary changes don't improve your symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider and obtaining appropriate testing can provide peace of mind and ensure optimal health management. Remember that while orange skin might be cosmetically concerning, the foods causing it are nutritious and beneficial when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
References
- Maharshak, N., Shapiro, J., & Trau, H. (2003). Carotenoderma - a review of the current literature. International Journal of Dermatology, 42(3), 178-181.[PubMed][DOI]
- Priyadarshani, A. M. (2017). A review on factors influencing bioaccessibility and bioefficacy of carotenoids. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(8), 1710-1717.[PubMed][DOI]
- Takita, Y., Ichimiya, M., Hamamoto, Y., & Muto, M. (2006). A case of carotenemia associated with ingestion of nutrient supplements. Journal of Dermatology, 33(2), 132-134.[PubMed][DOI]
- Julka, S., Jamdagni, N., Verma, S., & Goyal, R. (2019). Yellow palms and soles: A rare skin manifestation in diabetes mellitus. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 23(4), 471-473.[PubMed][DOI]
- Lascari, A. D. (1981). Carotenemia: A review. Clinical Pediatrics, 20(1), 25-29.[PubMed][DOI]
- McGowan, R., & Greenberg, L. (2021). Hypercarotenemia in hypothyroidism: Review of pathophysiology and clinical significance. Thyroid Research, 14, 12.[PubMed][DOI]
Was this article helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I test my liver and thyroid function at home?
How long does it take for orange skin from carotenemia to go away?
Is carotenemia dangerous or just cosmetic?
Can babies get carotenemia from baby food?
What's the difference between carotenemia and eating too much vitamin A?
This article is licensed under CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt this material with attribution.
