Skin Turning Orange? Here’s What Your Body Might Be Trying to Tell You

Glowing skin is often hailed as a sign of good health. While radiant, rosy cheeks are one thing, skin that resembles the color of a carrot is another.

Needless to say, if your skin is turning orange, you might be a tad concerned about your complexion.

From benign, temporary conditions to more-serious underlying health issues, there are a range of reasons you might develop pumpkin-pigmented skin.

Here, William Li, MD, author of ‌Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself, explains why your skin color may have suddenly shifted to a shade of orange and when you should see a doctor.

1. You Have Carotenemia

Crazy about carrots? Your daily diet of orange-hued veggies could be the reason your skin is turning orange.

"Carotenemia is a harmless condition in which the skin appears orange due to the high consumption of foods that contain high levels of carotene, a natural pigment," Dr. Li says.

While your skin looks orange, the whites of your eyes don't change, and "the mucous membranes of the mouth remain pink and healthy," Li says.

One medium carrot contains about 4 milligrams (mg) of beta-carotene, but the following foods are high in beta-carotene as well:

• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Spinach
• Squash
• Mustard greens
• Pumpkins
• Kale
• Sweet potatoes

Even foods like butter, eggs, and milk can cause carotenemia when consumed in large-enough quantities.

On top of food, supplements or vitamins containing beta-carotene can also turn your skin orange, Li says.

How to Fix It

If your skin is turning orange from food, the solution is simple: “Cut down on eating foods containing beta-carotene, and the orange color will disappear,” Li says.

If the whites of your eyes or your tongue also appears orange or yellow, see a doctor right away. You could have jaundice, which can be a sign of serious conditions like liver failure or certain cancers. Jaundice usually shows up as a yellow hue, but it can sometimes look yellow-orange.

2. You’re Taking Certain Medications

Your medicine cabinet may hold the answer to your sudden shift in skin color.

"Some people react to certain medications such that their skin pigment changes and sometimes appears orange," Li says.

Some medicines can create a chemical reaction that results in skin discoloration, while other drugs can directly affect your skin's natural pigments.

• Acriflavine:‌ This topical antiseptic has other potential medical uses.

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• ‌Canthaxanthin:‌ This pigment found in nature is used in food colorings, tanning pills, and some medicines.

  [5]

• Picric acid: This has been used historically as a topical treatment for burns.

  [6]

• Quinacrine:‌ Also known as mepacrine, it has been used as an antimalarial and to treat lupus and giardiasis.
• ‌Saffron:‌ This yellow spice is used as a natural remedy for a number of ailments.

How to Fix It

If you think your medication is turning your skin orange, speak with your doctor. They may change your dose or prescribe you a different drug.

"Stopping the medication (under medical guidance) will usually solve the skin color change," Li says.

3. You've Been Using Self-Tanner

Anyone who's ever had a bad spray tan can tell you that some self-tanning products can turn you into a tangerine. (Hello, orange hands.)

Here's why: "Indoor self-tanning lotions contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) that is orange-colored and stains your skin to resemble a suntan," Li says. "Using these tanning lotions in excess can make your skin look orange."

How to Fix It

With self-tanners, less is more. If you were a little heavy-handed when applying lotion and now resemble a carrot, here’s the best way to get rid of the excess DHA: “Rub baby oil over your skin, let it saturate for a few minutes, then rinse it off in the shower, rubbing with a washcloth,” Li says.

4. You’ve Just Had Surgery

If you've just had a surgical procedure and your skin in that area appears apricot in color, it's not your imagination.

While this sudden skin discoloration may be alarming at first glance, there's usually a simple, harmless explanation.

"Most likely the orange-brown color on your skin after surgery is due to Betadine, an antiseptic liquid that's used to clean and prep the skin area the surgeon will be cutting through," Li says.

How to Fix It

In this case, it's easy to remove the orange color from the surface of your skin. "Washing with soap and water will remove leftover Betadine," Li says.

Of course, follow your doctor's instructions about when and how to clean near your incision site.

5. You Have Hypothyroidism

Thyroid issues can also trigger a tawny tint in your skin. For instance, hypothyroidism (when the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone) can create a buildup of carotene in your blood, Li says.

And, as we know, an excess of beta-carotene can turn your skin orange.

How to Fix It

If you're having any of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out.

Hypothyroidism is usually managed with medication.

“Proper treatment of the thyroid should reverse the orange skin tone,” Li says.

The Takeaway

• The most common reason for orange skin is consuming large amounts of beta-carotene, a pigment found in many orange- and green-hued fruits and vegetables.
• Certain medications can cause your skin to change color, sometimes resulting in an orange appearance.
• If you notice any sudden, unexplained skin discoloration, make an appointment with your physician.