Is it true that "yellow foods" such as squash, corn, or carrots can turn a babies skin yellow?

Question

Today my one year old son's doctor said we are giving him too much "yellow food" such as squash, corn, and carrots. She said this is causing the bottom of his feet to look yellowish. I have never heard of that, my mother has never heard of that, can anybody provide supporting evidence?

Answer 1

Yes it's true, believe it or not!

Here's some scientifically proven info:

Myth: If you eat too many carrots, your skin will turn orange.

Reality: Eating too many carrots, or other foods high in beta-carotene, can cause a condition called carotenemia, explains Hoskyn. “High levels of beta-carotene can cause a yellowish discoloration of the skin, most noticeable on the palms and soles. Unlike jaundice, though, carotenemia does not cause yellowing of the whites of the eyes. Carotenemia is usually seen in young children, is not toxic and generally does not cause other health problems. The treatment is a low-carotene diet, but it may take several months for the skin to return to its normal color. But don’t substitute tomatoes for your carrots! Too many tomatoes can cause a yellow-orange discoloration of the skin called lycopenemia, due to the accumulation of lycopene in the tissues. The treatment for lycopenemia is also dietary modification.”

Answer 2

I have never heard of that, although my mum went on a carrot only diet once and her skin turned an unnatual shade of orange, but you need seriosly excessive levels of carrots.
How can you give your baby too much vegetables? You're lucky your child eats veggies, so don't stop.

Answer 3

yes!! my 6 mo old son turned an orangy yellow, especially the tip of his nose!! i really didnt notice, but when i went into the pediatricians office she started laughing and asked if i was giving him orange foods a lot. I was feeding him squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and peaches more than anything. If their EYES turn yellow, thats a whole other ballgame, usually liver problems and should go to doc immediately.

Answer 4

Yes...A friend of mine, her son only east yellow/orange foods and he seems to have a tan all over which is caused by the carotene in the food. This was backed up by a pedetrician

Answer 5

yes my friend used to feed her son too much carrot and pumpkin and he turned a funny shade of yellow too but because he didn't really eat any other vegetables he had this nearly everyday. She stopped giving it to him eveyday and he went back to a normal colour pretty soon. It affected his face and body.

Answer 6

A friend of mines son had a yellow face and hands from the same thing! Yes i know that it sounds unbelievable but it is possible!

Answer 7

yes it can happen, i had a neice that turned orange. she would only eat orange veggies and it is a build up of beta carotene in the blood. my son was watching a history channel show and it said that back in one of the wars, the pilots were fed LOTS of carrots to help with eyesight for flying and they also turned orange.

Answer 8

Yellow food is good for the eyes.

Answer 9

Was here on Yahoo Answers for something else, then this question was shown on the sidebar...

Answer 10

LOL, wow. I have never heard of anything like that!