Yellow or orange colouration

This chapter discusses yellow or orange discolouration of the skin, which is uncommon in children. It can occur due to accumulation of carotene in the skin, usually from infant diets containing too much carotene. Rarely, metabolic causes such as chronic renal failure or xanthomas are a cause. Xanthomas are accumulation of lipids or fat in the skin and are usually due to hereditary conditions when it manifests in children. Chronic renal failure makes the skin appear pale and yellowish mainly due to the associated anaemia and sometimes from the accumulation of metabolites in the skin. Naevi (e.g. naevus sebaceous) and rare genetic conditions (e.g. pseudoxanthoma elasticum) may exhibit a yellow/orange colour, as may palmoplantar keratoderma, as seen in some rare genetic disorders.