There are several reasons why the bottoms of your feet may look yellow, including common skin conditions like calluses or more serious health conditions like liver disease. Addressing what’s causing the discoloration can help you manage it, if it bothers you.
Calluses may commonly cause yellow skin on the soles of your feet. Calluses develop when the skin becomes thickened and hardened, typically from friction, pressure, and skin aging. They usually form on the heels, soles, and at the base of the toes.
Calluses may appear yellow, thick, and waxy. People who spend much of the day standing or who wear improperly fitting shoes may be more likely to develop calluses. Most calluses don’t require medical treatment.
Anemia is a chronic condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues. A lack of red blood cells can lead to several symptoms, including skin yellowing on your feet or other areas.
Other signs of anemia may include:
- Fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Hair loss
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Rapid heart rate
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a chronic condition. It occurs when the small arteries supplying blood to your skin constrict drastically, typically in response to cold temperatures. This leads to a lack of blood flow to your fingers and toes, causing temporary coldness and discoloration that may appear white or yellow.
Carotenemia is a harmless condition that occurs when you consume too much carotene, a pigment found in many orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. People who consume more than 30 milligrams of carotene per day are at risk of carotenemia.
Carotenemia causes your skin to take on an orange or yellow color. It affects the skin all over your body, including the soles of your feet.
Foods rich in carotene include:
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Mangos
- Oranges
- Pumpkins
- Squash
- Tomatoes
Carotenemia is a temporary condition that usually resolves once you decrease the carotene you’re eating.
In rare cases, carotenemia can develop from a health condition that causes an unhealthy buildup of carotene in the body, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease.
Jaundice, which causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow, is a serious condition that develops when you have high levels of bilirubin in your blood.
Bilirubin is a yellowish compound in bile, the digestive fluid your liver secretes. When your liver, gallbladder, or pancreas can’t break down bilirubin, it builds up in the blood, causing yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Other signs of jaundice include:
- Intense itching
- Brown urine
- Pale stools
It’s important to address jaundice right away as it’s a sign of liver disease.
A doctor can help determine the cause of your yellow feet. A podiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in foot conditions) or dermatologist (a medical doctor who specializes in skin conditions) can diagnose calluses with a physical exam. They can also recommend treatment options if needed.
To determine whether there is another cause of your yellow feet, a primary care provider may recommend the following tests:
- Complete blood count (CBC): To check your red blood cells and determine if you have anemia
- Liver function tests: To assess liver health and determine if you have jaundice
- Bilirubin blood test: To check your bilirubin levels and determine if you have jaundice
- Beta carotene test: To look for high carotene levels and determine if you have carotenemia
Seek medical care right away if you develop any of the following symptoms with yellowed feet:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Brown urine
- Pale stools
- Bloody or black stools
- High fever
- Confusion
If the soles of your feet are yellow from callused skin, practicing good skincare on your feet can help. Try these tips:
- Soak your feet in warm water to soften the hardened areas.
- Gently exfoliate the calluses to remove dead skin cells.
- Apply a moisturizing lotion or cream to soften tough areas.
- Wear thick socks or orthotic shoes to prevent friction and irritation.
- Keep your toenails clean and short to avoid them pressing against your shoes.
Other treatment options may include:
