When Kids Turn Orange

What is carotenemia?

Carotenemia is a medical term for a condition that causes the skin to turn orange-ish due to increased blood carotene levels. In the vast majority of cases seen, it is associated with large consumption of carotene in the diet; as in too many carrots or sweet potatoes. Parents who feed their infants a lot of orange fruits and vegetables may one day notice that their infant's palms, soles of the feet and even face have taken on an orange hue.

Which foods contain beta-carotene?

Fruits and vegetables that are high in beta-carotene are usually those that are yellow/orange or have dark green leafy vegetables. These include:

Carrots
Pumpkin
Kumera
Spinach
Papaya
Corn

Breastfeeding babies can also develop the condition if their mother is eating a lot of beta-carotene rich foods.

Treatment of carotenemia

No specific treatment of carotenemia is necessary. By simply encouraging your child to eat a wider variety of foods, the level of beta-carotene in the body will reduce and the skin discoloration will gradually fade.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?