Question

Why does jaundice cause yellowing of skin, eyes, nails, etc.?

Answer 1

Jaundice:

1. It is a condition of excess bilirubin in the body.
2. It is a sign of problems in the liver, gallbladder, or intestine.
3. It is caused by excessive damage of RBCs.

Cause of yellowing of skin, eyes, nails in jaundice:

1. Once RBCs die, the cells are taken away using phagocytosis.
2. During this process, the iron-containing pigment hemoglobin present in those RBCs gets converted into bilirubin.
3. This bilirubin is a yellow-colored pigment.
4. Normally, this goes into bile secreted by the liver and passed out through feces or urine.
5. In jaundice, excessive RBCs are damaged resulting in excess production of bilirubin.
6. It also causes dis functioning of the liver.
7. So, excess production of this yellow pigment imparts a yellow color to skin, eyes, nails, etc.