What is a visual sign of jaundice in adults?

Jaundice is characterized by an excess of bilirubin in the blood, which can lead to noticeable physical changes in the body. One of the most common visual signs of jaundice in adults is the yellowing of the skin and the sclera of the eyes, often referred to as "yellowed eyes" or scleral icterus. This occurs because the sclera (the white part of the eyes) can take on a yellow tint due to the accumulation of bilirubin, which is a pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. While yellow skin can also be a sign of jaundice, the yellowing of the eyes is often used as a more definitive and noticeable indicator of the condition.

Increased appetite and abdominal swelling are not visual signs of jaundice; in fact, they typically pertain to different health issues and do not indicate the presence of bilirubin-related changes in tissue coloration.