Yellow skin, jaundice

Alternative names:

eyes, yellow; icterus; jaundice; skin, yellow; yellow eyes

Home care:

The cause of jaundice must be determined before treatment can be given. Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is any jaundice apparent.

Note: ALL JAUNDICE MUST BE EVALUATED.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting jaundice in detail may include:

• Is the skin color yellow (jaundice)?
• Are the eyes yellow?
• When did the jaundice start?
• Has the jaundice occurred repeatedly (recurrent)?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• complete blood count
• hepatic (liver) enzymes (see liver function tests) and cholesterol
• liver biopsy
• prothrombin time
• serum bilirubin
• ultrasound of the abdomen
• urine and fecal urobilinogen

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to jaundice to your personal medical record.