About Carotenemia
Key Highlights
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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.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient consultation only)
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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.
Popular choices for carotenemia in India include Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform carotenemia. MediFyr helps you compare internal medicine specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
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.
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.
- 41 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
- 22 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 32 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 8 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 13 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 43 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 23 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 21 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 15 Years Experience
- Internal Medicine Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore