Question
The soles of a nine-year-old child’s feet, except for the sole of the foot, have turned yellow. Particularly, the color of the heel is darker, and this has been ongoing for about one to two months. Parents are seeking expert guidance to understand the cause of the child’s yellow soles.
Answer
Yellowing of the soles and palms may be related to abnormal function of the pancreas, spleen, or liver. In some cases, such as in patients with liver cirrhosis, about half may exhibit this symptom, usually mild. If the yellowing of the soles is solely due to a lack of Qi and Blood, it could be due to malnutrition leading to skin keratinization necrosis. Since the feet are farther from the heart, the blood circulation to the feet is relatively weak. It is advised that parents take their child to a medical examination to avoid long-term health impacts.