Learn about Carotenemia Treatment in India — how it works, who it is for, recovery timelines, and what to expect before and after surgery. Compare hospitals and doctors experienced in Carotenemia and request assistance for cost estimates or appointments.

About Carotenemia

Carotenemia is not a medical procedure but a benign condition characterized by yellowish-orange discoloration of the skin, most notably on the palms, soles, and nasolabial folds. It results from excessive consumption of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, leading to elevated levels of beta-carotene in the blood. An internal medicine specialist diagnoses carotenemia primarily through a detailed dietary history and clinical examination, as it is harmless and distinct from jaundice. Management involves dietary modification to reduce carotene intake, with the discoloration typically resolving over several weeks to months without any invasive treatment. This condition is most common in infants and young children but can occur in adults with specific dietary habits.

Key Highlights

    Benign and completely harmless condition with no long-term health consequences.Diagnosis is non-invasive, based primarily on clinical history and examination.Treatment involves simple dietary adjustments, not medication or surgery.Skin discoloration resolves completely once dietary carotene intake is normalized.Helps differentiate from more serious conditions like jaundice, preventing unnecessary worry and testing.

Who is this surgery for?

  • Yellow-orange skin discoloration, especially on palms, soles, and face.
  • History of high intake of carotene-rich foods (e.g., carrots, squash, spinach).
  • To rule out true jaundice (yellowing of the eyes is absent in carotenemia).
  • Evaluation in infants or individuals on specific pureed or juiced diets.
  • Assessment in patients with conditions potentially leading to altered metabolism of carotenes, though this is rare.

How to prepare

  • No specific medical preparation is required as it is a diagnostic evaluation.
  • Be prepared to provide a detailed dietary history, including intake of fruits and vegetables.
  • List any supplements or vitamins being taken.
  • Wear clothing that allows easy examination of the skin on hands and feet.
  • No fasting or medication changes are needed prior to the consultation.

Risks & possible complications

  • There are no risks associated with the condition of carotenemia itself.
  • Potential for misdiagnosis if not properly differentiated from jaundice or liver disease.
  • Unnecessary concern or anxiety due to the visible skin change.
  • In rare cases of extreme, prolonged intake, very high vitamin A levels could be a concern, but this is not typical of carotenemia.

Recovery & hospital stay

  • Recovery involves the gradual fading of skin discoloration over weeks to months after reducing dietary carotene.
  • No specific post-procedure care is needed; normal activities can be resumed immediately.
  • Follow a balanced diet as advised by the physician.
  • No medications or topical treatments are required for the skin.
  • Schedule a follow-up if the discoloration does not begin to fade within the expected timeframe.
  • checked Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient consultation only)
  • checked Expected recovery time: 4-8 weeks for full resolution of skin color

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering carotenemia in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.

Procedure cost in other countries

Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for carotenemia compare across other countries where we have data.

Country Estimated cost range Typical stay Recovery time View details
India INR 500 – 2 Thousand 0 days (Outpatient consultation only) ~ 4-8 weeks for full resolution of skin color Know More
Turkey TRY 1.75 Thousand – 7 Thousand 0 days (Outpatient consultation only) ~ 4-8 weeks for full resolution of skin color Know More

Top hospitals for Carotenemia in India

These partner hospitals in India have dedicated internal medicine teams and experience managing patients undergoing carotenemia.

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Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad

  • IconGhaziabad, India
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91+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram

  • IconBangalore, India
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5734+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Siliguri

  • IconSiliguri, India
  • Icon30 Doctors
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89+ Rating

Manipal Hospital EM Bypass

  • IconKolkata, India
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65+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Salt Lake

  • IconKolkata, India
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12320+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road

  • IconBangalore, India
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185+ Rating

Manipal Hospital Ranchi

  • IconRanchi, India
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1161+ Rating

Artemis Hospital Gurgaon

  • IconGurgaon, India
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181+ Rating

KMC Hospital Mangalore

  • IconMangalore, India
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PATIENT REVIEW

Ayaan Joshi, a 28-year-old software engineer...

Ayaan Joshi, a 28-year-old software engineer and health-conscious vegetarian, noticed a gradual yellow-orange tint developing on his palms and soles over several weeks. He had recently adopted a strict diet rich in sweet potatoes, carrots, and pumpkin smoothies to improve his health. Concerned about liver disease, he visited his primary care physician. The doctor, recognizing the classic distribution and Ayaan's dietary history, suspected carotenemia, a benign condition caused by excessive beta-carotene intake. He recommended a simple dietary modification trial as the primary 'procedure': significantly reducing high-carotene foods for 4-6 weeks while maintaining a balanced diet. Ayaan found the adjustment challenging but manageable. After six weeks, the yellow discoloration had faded dramatically. His initial anxiety about a serious illness turned to relief and mild amusement. He learned a valuable lesson about moderation, feeling empowered by understanding how his diet directly affected his body's appearance.

Internal Medicine Specialists for Carotenemia

Explore experienced internal medicine specialists who regularly perform carotenemia and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.

Dr. Geetha K Subramaniyam K
  • 41 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 600
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore

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Dr. Sangeshwaran
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

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Dr. Archana D
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

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Dr. Arun Karthik P
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

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Dr. C Harish
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Salem, Salem

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Dr. Veerendra B Sutar
  • 22 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

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Dr. Ravi Kumar
  • 16 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

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Dr. Reshu Agrawal
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 500
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore

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Dr. Sanjiv Rao
  • 32 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore

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Dr. Prashant Bhatt
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

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Dr. Gurpreet Singh Dang
  • 14 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

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Dr. Inderjeet Kaur
  • 8 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 450
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala

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Dr. K Sriram
  • 13 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 900
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

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Dr. HARIKA UPPALAPATI
  • 9 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada

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Dr. Sharada Shekar
  • 43 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

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Dr. Dinesh Kamath
  • 36 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 850
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

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Dr. Basavaraj Kuntoji
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 650
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore

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Dr. Arun Suradkar
  • 23 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 650
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune

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Dr. Vichar Shyam Nigam
  • 21 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 550
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune

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Dr. Vijay Narasappa Talkad
  • 15 Years Experience
  • Internal Medicine Specialist
Speaks: English, Hindi
Consult Charge ₹ 650
Available Today
December: 08:00 AM - 08:00 PM

MediFyr Plus Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore

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