Skin Discoloration

  I have been experiencing a slight discoloration of my skin , just around the right facial cheek - about the size of a half-dollar. This is the only area of discoloration. Is this juandice? I do not have yellowing in any other areas.
  I've consulted my family doctor last year and he said it was an allergic reaction to food perservatives in the foods I eat.? Are there other symptoms I should look for?
  p.s. I scheduled a physical - however I just changed jobs and my insurance will not kick in for another month.
  Thanks for your time.
Dear Matt,
Jaundice refers to a generalized yellowish color. It can often be detected in the sclera (white part) of the eyes. It would be very unusual for a localized area of skin discoloration to be associated with jaundice. An easy way to tell if you are jaundiced is to have blood tests that test liver function. Patients with an elevated serum bilirubin level above 3.0 mg/dl will usually appear jaundiced to the naked eye. Some patients who ingest beta carotene supplements will have orange-colored skin. This will not be associated with an elevated serum bilirubin level, but an elevated serum carotene level. I hope you find this information helpful.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians' Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Muszkat, one of our experts in Gastroenterology.
HFHSM.D.-ym
*Keywords: jaundice, bilirubin