Photoessay: The Skin and Diabetes Mellitus
by A Huntley
Dermatology Online Journal, December 1995
Volume 1, Number 2
Yellow Color
yellow nails
yellow skin
yellow nail and skin
additional images of yellow nail and skin
yellow nails
The skin and nails of patients with diabetes tend to take on a yellow hue, probably due to metabolism of glucose which has
become linked to protein. This hue is most evident in the nails, especially distally, but occasionally evident in the skin.
Here are some representative images of nail yellowing.
Figs 43,44. Toe nail and finger nail from two patients with diabetes mellitus who demonstrate yellow nails associated with
diabetes.
Figs 45,46. Fingernail and toenails of two patients with diabetes mellitus. The image on the left also has the examiner's
thumbnail (on the left) for color comparison. The image on the right demonstrates the distal progression to brown yellow discoloration
of the toenails.
yellow skin
Persons with diabetes often have a yellow hue to the skin, best seen on the palms and soles. Probably due to yellow glucosylation
end-products, the current significance of this finding is only as a physical sign of the disease.
Figs 47,48. Palmar skin of two patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrating yellow skin associated with this disease. The
palms are apparently a good area to examine because of less competing pigmentation from melanin.
yellow nail and skin
Fig 49. Hallux of patient with diabetes demonstrating yellowing of nail and skin.
additional images of yellow nail and skin
All contents copyright (C), 1995.
Dermatology Online Journal
University of California Davis
