Yellowing of the skin and eyes is a condition known as jaundice. This medical condition results from increased bilirubin levels, which is a compound produced when red blood cells are broken down. In healthy individuals, bilirubin is removed from the body via the liver. When there are problems with how bilirubin is processed, skin discoloration and other symptoms can result.
While the condition is unusual in adults, it routinely affects babies who were born prematurely, typically appearing in infants born before 38 weeks.
In addition to the yellowing of the skin and eyes, jaundice can also result in other symptoms:
Jaundice typically presents differently when infants develop the condition. In severe cases, changes in skin colour will begin with the head and eventually make its way down to the rest of the body.
For adults experiencing jaundice, the underlying medical condition causing the problem can lead to complications without the right treatment. For example, a chronic hepatitis B infection can cause the liver to become scarred and increase the risk of liver cancer.
In babies, very high levels of bilirubin can cause kernicterus, a type of brain damage. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary to avoid kernicterus and prevent lasting damage. That’s why new-borns are usually tested for jaundice repeatedly while still in the hospital.
A person can have higher than normal bilirubin levels for numerous reasons, including:
Babies also experience jaundice due to high bilirubin levels. This is because a baby’s liver may not yet be able to efficiently remove the chemical from the blood stream, which explains why it commonly affects pre-term infants.
In adults, a physical exam can look for signs of liver dysfunction, such as easy bruising and discoloration on the palms and fingertips. Doctors also use urine and blood tests to measure bilirubin levels. When liver dysfunction is suspected, a diagnostic imaging test may also be used.
As for infants, doctors use a special probe that measures a baby’s transcutaneous bilirubin level. Medical staff will also follow up with a blood test when levels are higher than normal.
Babies and adults typically don’t receive treatment for jaundice. When it comes to babies, many outgrow mild bouts of the condition as their liver becomes more mature. If there is an underlying cause of jaundice, such as a blood infection, or the condition is more severe, it requires timely treatment to prevent serious effects.
With adults, treatment of the underlying condition that contributes to jaundice can help alleviate the symptoms. For instance, managing hepatitis or addressing liver dysfunction can sometimes eliminate yellowing of the skin and other symptoms. When intense itching is an issue, doctors can prescribe medication to alleviate it.
While it’s not always possible to avoid jaundice, you can take steps to lower your risk. Maintaining the health of your liver is essential in this case, which entails consuming alcohol in moderation, eating nutritious foods, and partaking in regular physical activity. Avoiding hepatitis infections can also lower your risk, which entails engaging in safe sex and forgoing intravenous drug use.