Carotenemia is best described as what?

• A. A liver disease.
• B. A genetic disorder.
• C. An acute infection.
• D. A harmless condition caused by high carrot intake.

Answer: (D)

Carotenemia is the yellow-orange color change of the skin caused by high intake of carotene-rich foods. The pigment carotene deposits in the outer skin layers, producing a yellowish tint most noticeable on the palms and soles, but it does not involve the eyes’ sclera or the liver. Because it comes from dietary carotene, it is a harmless and reversible condition—reducing carrot-heavy foods or beta-carotene supplements will gradually return the skin to its normal color. This distinction is important in practice: unlike jaundice, carotenemia does not indicate liver disease and the whites of the eyes remain unaffected.