Diet‐induced carotenodermia: a literature review

Abstract

Carotenodermia is a yellow to orange skin discoloration due to epidermal deposition of carotene. This can be due to an abnormality in the conversion of β‐carotene to vitamin A, hyperlipidemia, or high dietary carotene intake. Here, I review approximately 100 previous cases of carotenodermia in humans due to high β‐carotene intake. This literature review revealed that in carotenodermia associated with high β‐carotene intake the discoloration tends to be widespread, mainly in thick areas of the skin (e.g., the palm of the hand), and can last from 14 days to 4.5 years. This review provides a detailed overview of the characteristics of diet‐induced carotenodermia.