Yellow Feet

There are a couple main reasons why your feet could have a yellow hue. Here’s four of the most common reasons:

1. Jaundice – Jaundice is a condition that leads to the yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes. It’s a condition in which a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells isn’t disposed of properly by the body. The substance is known as bilirubin, and it can lead to skin discoloration if not properly taken care of by the liver. It can be a sign of a larger health problem including liver failure, gallstones, hepatitis or a side effect of certain medications like penicillin or anabolic steroids. If jaundice is suspected, you should visit a physician so that the root cause can be identified and treated.

2. Callus Formation – A callus is a thickened area of skin that develops as a response to pressure or fiction. It should come as no surprise that the feet are one of the most common locations for callus formation. Calluses can appear waxy or yellowish, giving our feet a discolored look. They aren’t usually a cause for concern, but you may want to re-evaluate your shoe choice and how much time you spend on your feet in certain pairs. You can also use callus-protection pads in your shoes or file them down with a pumice stone.

3. Anemia – Anemia is a health condition caused by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, which results in tiredness and a pallor of the skin. This can sometimes present as a yellowish color instead of paleness, but many times the condition can be handled with iron supplements and dietary changes.

4. Raynaud’s Disease – Raynaud’s disease is a condition that affects up to 10 percent of the population, and it can cause discoloration in the fingers or toes due to the cold or even emotional stress. It’s sometimes accompanied by numbness or tingling in the digits. Mild forms of the condition can be managed by wearing gloves in cold temperatures and managing emotional stress in healthy ways, while more serious forms may require medication or nerve surgery.

If you have yellow feet or toes and want answers and help managing the condition, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office today.

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My Feet Are A Different Color

Before we dive into some explanations, we want to preface the next part by saying that the following potential medical conditions should not be used to perform a self-diagnosis. If you are concerned about the color of your feet, contact a foot specialist sooner rather than later. This may be a helpful guide, but it should not be substituted in place for actual in-person medical advice.

Red Feet – Feet can be red for a number of different reasons. Our feet can turn a reddish hue after micro-trauma like running or major trauma like a crush injury or surgery. If you just finished a workout, the movement of blood to your extremities could be causing the coloration, but if they look red without physical activity, it could be a sign that they aren’t actually getting enough blood flow. It can be an early indicator or peripheral neuropathy and diabetes. If your feet and red and swollen, it may also signal an infection.

Yellow Feet – If your feet have a yellowish tint, it could be because you have been eating a lot of beta carotene rich foods, like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. However, it could also be caused by jaundice, which is a sign of an improperly functioning liver that should be addressed as soon as possible. If the nail bed is yellow, you may be dealing with a toenail fungus.

Blue or Purple Feet – Blue or purple feet tend to occur if you severely sprain or fracture your ankle. When this occurs, your foot goes through the normal bruising process, only it tends to be rather prominent as the blood pools in your feet. Some bruising and discoloration is normal with trauma, but you should have the foot examined by a specialist to determine if any fractures or ligament damage has occurred. If no acute trauma has occurred, it is a sign of poor circulation, and you should visit a doctor.

Green Feet –  Feet should never turn green, so if your foot has a green hue, visit a specialist. However, some people have reported noticing a green tint in their nail bed. This could potentially be a side effect of gout, but more likely it’s a sign of infection or fungus. Unless the green is from toenail polish, visit a specialist right away.

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