Why Are My Eyelids Yellow?
Yellowish discoloration on your eyelids can be caused by several factors. One common cause is xanthelasma, which is a harmless, yellowish growth appearing on or near the corners of your eyelids. These are cholesterol deposits that build up under the skin. While often harmless, xanthelasma can be a sign of underlying conditions like diabetes. [^1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5]
However, yellowing of the eyelids isn't solely attributed to xanthelasma. Other possibilities include:
- Jaundice: If the entire sclera (the white part of your eye) turns yellow, it often indicates jaundice, resulting from a buildup of bilirubin (a yellowish-orange substance) from old red blood cells. [^8]
- Eye infections: A bacterial eye infection can produce yellow or green discharge or pus that may crust on the eyelids. [^10]
- Sleep crust: While typically clear or sticky, sleep crust can sometimes appear yellow, hard, and crusty. [^7]
- Makeup residue: Sometimes, eye shadow pigments can leave behind stains that might appear yellowish or orange the next day. [^3]
- Thyroid or other metabolic issues: In some cases, yellow discoloration around the eyes might indicate thyroid problems or other metabolic disorders. [^3, ^6]
It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. They can determine the underlying cause of the yellowing and recommend appropriate treatment. Self-treating can be risky; professional assessment is essential for accurate diagnosis and management.
[^1]: Xanthelasma, or xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP), is a harmless, yellow growth that appears on or by the corners of your eyelids next to your nose. Cholesterol deposits build up under your skin to form a xanthelasma. Having xanthelasmas could be a sign of another condition, such as: Diabetes.
[^2]: A xanthelasma is a harmless yellow bump on or near your eyelid skin. A type of xanthoma, or cholesterol deposit, a xanthelasma can be soft, chalky or semi-…
[^3]: It can also be thyroid or diabetes related. You might want to get it checked out. Also- Sometimes eye shadows/pigments can leave weird stains the next day.
[^4]: ... yellow-orange oval hue of varying intensity on the inner side of the eyelids ... eyelids, supported by microscopic examination of upper eyelid biopsies (1).
[^5]: If you notice yellow patches on the inside corners of your eyelids, you might have this. The patches are made up of cholesterol that's under…
[^6]: When the body has excess bilirubin, the skin can turn yellow—the medical term for this jaundice. Bilirubin is a yellowish-orange substance…
[^7]: This matter can look yellow, hard and crusty, clear and sticky or thin and watery like tears. However, some eye goop is not the typical sleep…
[^8]: If the entire sclera turns yellow, it is often a sign of jaundice. Jaundice is caused by a buildup of old red blood cells, called bilirubin.
[^10]: Symptoms of Bacterial Eye Infection · Yellow or green discharge or pus in the eye · Dried pus on the eyelids and eyelashes · The eyelashes are more…
