why is my grandmothers skin very yellow at age 86?

Answer 1

check the scelera(white of the eye). is it yellow also? if so, it would definately indicate jaundice.

ps. there is a condition which can turn the skin yellowish or orangish call caratenosis or carotenemia which is caused by
an overload of betacarotene. (i know,because i have this condition)
the difference is that in carotenemia the scelera is a normal white color.

Answer 2

Obviously we need more information to give you an answer. It could be several different things, the most obvious would be liver, but nicotine stains are yellow if she's a smoker, certain meds could be causing the yellowing, and as someone mentioned something in her diet.

Answer 3

Yellow skin has nothing to do with age....she sounds jaundiced. Does she have liver problems? Cirrhosis? Fatty liver? Something like that will make you have yellow skin.

Answer 4

If her skin is yellowing she could have something wrong with her liver. She sounds like she is Jaundice. What other symptoms is she having???

Answer 5

At 86, her body organs, like liver and kidneys, are not working like a young person's.

Answer 6

Does she have jaundice?
Also, when you get older your liver doesn't work as well and this can cause yellowing of the skin.

Answer 7

Yellow skin indicates that her liver may not be functioning properly. She should see the doctor asap.

Answer 8

Some older people look yellow when they get pale. Might be a number of things: liver problems, anemia, heart problems and poor circulation, medications. She should ask her physician.

Answer 9

Hey Matt,

That is usually a sign of jaundice. See a doctor.

Answer 10

People usually get "yellow" (jaundice) when they have a liver or gall problem