Yellow discoloration of the skin may be caused by several etiologies, including jaundice, hypervitaminosis, drug reaction or chemical exposure. Herein we describe a 68-year-old woman with a history of breast and thyroid carcinoma, presenting with a yellow discoloration of her soles, after ingestion of one capsule a day of turmeric root extract (Bluebonnet Turmeric Root, 500?mg, Vcap), taken for its anti-cancer properties, for 4?months. After drug cessation, the yellow hue disappeared completely. A Naranjo assessment score of 5 was obtained, indicating a probable relationship between the patient’s symptom and her use of the drug. Curcumin, a mixture of diferuloymethane derivatives known as curcuminoids, is a yellow pigment present in the spice turmeric. Topical application of curcumin to the human skin is joined by orange-yellow discoloration. To the best of our knowledge, yellow skin discoloration after oral intake of turmeric is not mentioned in the medical literature.
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