A yellowish skin as a whole or in specific body areas can be a warning that something is not quite right in our body, so it is a sign that we should pay attention to. However, this does not mean that if you have yellow soles on your feet, all the alarms should go off since there are several possible causes of this anomaly and many do not imply a health risk.
A skin condition, foot fungus or the presence of calluses, for example, are common causes that can be easily treated. Even so, it is always important to find out the causes of yellow feet with a necessary medical consultation. And why do I have yellow feet? In this article, we point out the most common causes and give you some home remedies for yellow feet.
Why do I have yellow feet?
Jaundice
One of the possible causes of yellow feet is jaundice. We speak of jaundice when the skin, including the soles of the feet, and the mucous membranes have a yellow hue caused by the excessive presence of bilirubin in the body.
Bilirubin is a substance that is part of blood hemoglobin and is released in the natural process of renewal of our red blood cells. When it is not eliminated correctly, its levels can increase excessively, causing, among other dysfunctions, an abnormal coloration of the skin.
Jaundice can be behind yellow feet in very young children (newborns) and is usually a spontaneously disappearing phenomenon. In the case of adults, some pathology related to the liver may be the cause.
Anemia
If symptoms such as fatigue, weakness or extreme tiredness are added to the yellow skin or soles for no reason, anemia could be behind this situation. Although there are different types of anemia, in general, it is due to a lack of basic nutrients such as iron and/or vitamin D. The lack of these nutrients can cause the number of red blood cells to decrease compared to normal values.
Liver or kidney disease
Some pathologies related to liver or kidney malfunction can also explain why you have yellow feet. Hepatitis, cirrhosis or kidney failure, as well as obstruction of the bile ducts, may be behind this symptom. They are quite serious conditions that require immediate medical attention, so if you think you may have them, we recommend that you consult a doctor.
Fungal infection
The presence of fungus on the feet is one of the most frequent causes of a yellow tone in the skin of the feet, especially if you also have yellow toenails. It is a fungus of the dermatophyte family that begins by infecting the skin under the nails and can also spread to the soles of the feet.
Among other effects, the fungal infection affects the keratin of the skin, causing that yellowish or brown color in the dermis of the area.
Carotenemia
Carotenemia is not a disease but a change in the natural color of the skin whose origin lies in excess of beta-carotene due to an inadequate diet. Carrots, pumpkin, peppers…, among other red or orange fruits and vegetables, are a natural source of beta-carotene. These antioxidants are very healthy, but in excess, they can alter the natural pigmentation of the skin, including that of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
In most cases, when this happens, it is because there is a problem of hypothyroidism that makes it difficult to transform beta-carotene into vitamin A. As a consequence, they accumulate in the body, causing yellowish skin.
Hyperlipoproteinemia
This pathology, generally linked to high levels of cholesterol in the blood, is another of the probable causes of alterations in the color of the skin. It is the difficulty that the body presents to break down and assimilate fats correctly. Thus, the accumulation of undecomposed fat causes a change in color in certain parts of the body, such as the soles of the feet.
Raynaud’s disease
When you have yellow and cold feet, especially if the sensation of cold and numbness is centered in the area of the fingers, there is the possibility of suffering from the so-called Raynaud’s phenomenon. It is an abnormal reaction to low temperatures or stress, causing the blood vessels of the peripheral system to contract excessively. As a consequence, the skin of the fingers turns whitish or yellowish, although it can also acquire reddish or blue tones.
Other causes of having yellow feet
In addition to the above causes, there are other answers as to why you have yellow feet. These are some of them.
Diabetes.
Hereditary diseases.
Toxic substances such as trinitrotoluene (TNT).
Metabolic disturbances.
hypothyroidism
How to get rid of yellow feet?
Depending on the origin of the discoloration in the feet, it is best that you go to the doctor to determine the treatment to follow. A simple blood test can give the professional the information he needs to establish if the cause of yellow feet is due to disease. He may also recommend dietary changes or prescribe an antifungal ointment for foot fungus.
In addition to medical treatment, we can give you some advice on how to remove yellow from the soles of your feet. These are harmless natural remedies that focus on removing much of that yellowish skin, also applying some natural ‘whitening.’ Here are some of them:
Pedicure: soak your feet for a few minutes. Add a tablespoon of baking soda or half a glass of hydrogen peroxide to the warm water. Both products combine two requirements to be an excellent remedy for yellow feet. They are powerful whiteners and also have disinfectant properties.
Mashed potatoes: with dry feet, try mashing previously boiled mashed potatoes. When they are cold, make a paste and apply it to the soles of your feet as if it were a cream. Let the remedy action for a few minutes and remove it with water.
Lemon: Rub the soles of your feet twice a week with half a lemon to gradually lighten them.
