QOD: My baby’s skin looks yellow. Is there something wrong?
Yellow and orange veggies may cause carotenemia and it’s not harmful to your child.
Most likely, there is no need to worry! When babies and toddlers consume large amounts of “yellow” vegetables such as squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots, their skin will often turn yellowish-orange in color. Often this is seen most prominently in light-skinned children on the tip of the nose, cheeks, fingers, toes, and ears. This condition, known as carotenemia, occurs when the carotene from the vegetables deposit in the skin. There is no treatment required, as it will resolve on its own. The yellow vegetables tend to be sweeter so your child may like those better at first, but encourage your child to eat a wide variety of vegetables to expand his or her palate.
However, if the whites of your child’s eyes are also yellow or your child appears ill, your child may have jaundice or another more serious problem. A prompt visit to the pediatrician is in order.
Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, February 2019
My daughter loved her carrots and sweet potatoes so much she looked liked she had been to the tanning bed! Thankfully, no one accused me of being “the tanning mom”!
Ha! Your comment just gave me the funniest mental picture. Thanks for the laugh, Kay!