Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. This color can also be seen in conjunctival membranes such as nostrils or inside of the mouth. Jaundice results from increased levels of bilirubin in the blood that results from the recycling of old red blood cells This recycling process happens in a healthy person as well, but a normal liver processes the bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body Because a jaundiced person’s liver is either immature, such as in preterm infant's, or severely damaged, such as in hepatitis C patients, it is unable to do this.
Step 1
Observe the skin of the patient. Does it appear yellowish? When you press the skin, does it look whiter than the surrounding skin? If so the person might suffer from jaundice.
Step 2
Look at the eyes of the patient. Do they have a yellowish color as well? How about the inside of his mouth or nostrils? If these areas look yellow as well, jaundice is a likely candidate.
Step 3
Collect a stool and urine sample. If the urine has a tea-like color and the stool appears grayish and clay-like, jaundice could be the reason.
Step 4
Ask the patient whether his skin is itching, as this is one sign of jaundice.
Step 5
Determine whether the patient feels sleepy and drowsy. For example, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, infants with jaundice sleep more than healthy infants of the same age and also tend to eat less.
Step 6
Consult a doctor if many of the symptoms described above seem to apply. Jaundice can only be reliably diagnosed with laboratory tests.
Tips and Warnings
- Observe the skin and eyes in the sunlight where the abnormal color is easier to detect.
- Remember that jaundice is not a disease but a symptom. Finding the underlying cause of jaundice is crucial before it can be treated. Tell the doctor, if the patient suffers from an illness that might cause it, such as Hepatitis C.
Things You'll Need
- urine and stool from the patient
