Jaundice is caused by a build up of bilirubin. Your skin and whites of your eyes turn yellow when it builds up, having a yellowish appearance.
Bilirubin is a yellow chemical in the hemoglobin of your red blood cells. When they breakdown your liver processes them out of your body.
If your liver is not functioning properly, your body builds up with bilirubin. Thus, jaundice is one of the major signs of a malfunctioning liver.
It can happen at any age and for many reasons, some of which are:
- malaria
- cirrhosis
- hepatitis
- gallstones
- liver cancer
- liver infection
- pancreatic cancer
- sickle cell anemia
- gallbladder cancer
- fructose intolerance
- cholangiocarcinoma
- drug induced hepatitis
Your liver is your body’s largest organ and one of its most important. If you notice yellowing in your eyes or skin, contact your health care provider right away for diagnosis and treatment.
And for some, their skin turn yellowish after eating large amounts of beta-carotene, such as carrots, squash, or cantaloupe. This is not jaundice!
