Yellowing skin or eyes in Dubai: Which Doctor to See
Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes—commonly called jaundice—happens when bilirubin, a natural pigment formed when red blood cells break down, builds up in the body. It can range from mild and temporary to a sign of an important medical problem.
Many causes are common and treatable, from short-term infections to liver or bile duct problems. In Dubai, clinicians will consider local factors such as recent travel, vaccination history, alcohol use, and dehydration from heat or vigorous activity, but the first step is a medical assessment, not self-diagnosis.
When to seek urgent care
- •Sudden or severe abdominal pain with yellowing
- •High fever with chills and jaundice
- •Confusion, drowsiness, or difficulty waking
- •Very pale (clay-colored) stools or very dark urine
- •Rapidly worsening yellowing or shortness of breath
If any of these apply, call 998 (Dubai ambulance) or go to the nearest emergency department. Emergency numbers
Conditions a doctor may consider
Commonly associated causes — only a doctor can diagnose which (if any) applies to you.
Viral hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses (for example hepatitis A, B, or C) is a frequent cause of jaundice. Symptoms often include tiredness, abdominal discomfort, and dark urine; tests of liver function and viral markers help identify it.
Gallstones or bile duct obstruction
Stones or blockages in the gallbladder or bile ducts can stop bile flowing from the liver, causing yellowing and sometimes severe pain, fever, or pale stools. Imaging such as ultrasound is commonly used to look for this.
Alcohol-related liver injury or fatty liver disease
Long-term alcohol use or metabolic fatty liver (associated with obesity, diabetes, or high cholesterol) can impair liver function and lead to jaundice in advanced cases. Blood tests and imaging help assess liver health.
Drug-induced liver injury
Some prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, or toxins can harm the liver and cause yellowing. A doctor will review recent medications and exposures as part of the evaluation.
Hemolysis (increased red blood cell breakdown)
If red blood cells are being destroyed faster than the body can clear their breakdown products, bilirubin levels can rise and cause jaundice. This is diagnosed with blood counts and specific hemolysis tests.
Less common causes (autoimmune or genetic conditions)
Autoimmune liver diseases, inherited disorders of bilirubin processing, and certain cancers can present with jaundice. These are less common but investigated if initial tests do not find a simpler cause.
Which specialist should you see?
A gastroenterologist (a specialist in the digestive system and liver) is the most appropriate specialist to evaluate persistent or unexplained yellowing of the skin or eyes. They coordinate blood tests, liver imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI), and procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) when needed to assess bile ducts.
You may reasonably start with a general practitioner (GP) or family physician in Dubai—especially for new, mild symptoms—because they can do initial blood tests, review recent medications and travel, and refer you to gastroenterology. Other specialists who might be involved include infectious disease physicians (for viral hepatitis), hematologists (for blood-related causes), and, rarely, surgeons if a bile duct or gallbladder procedure is needed.
While you wait for your appointment
- •Make an urgent appointment with your GP or a gastroenterology clinic for assessment and blood tests.
- •Avoid alcohol and stop any non-essential herbal supplements or over-the-counter medicines, and bring a list of all medications to your appointment.
- •Stay hydrated, rest, and avoid heavy meals until a clinician advises otherwise.
- •If you have travel history, recent vaccinations, or known exposure risks, note these details to share with the clinician.
What to expect at the visit
At your visit you will be asked about the timing and progression of the yellowing, any abdominal pain, fever, recent travel or vaccinations, medication and supplement use, alcohol history, and other symptoms such as pale stools or dark urine. The clinician will examine you for signs of liver disease and for tenderness in the abdomen.
Common tests include blood tests for liver function and markers of infection or hemolysis, an abdominal ultrasound to look at the liver and bile ducts, and sometimes additional imaging or specialist procedures. Based on initial results, the specialist will recommend follow-up, treatment, or referral to other services.
Top-rated gastroenterology facilities in Dubai
51 matching facilities, ranked by DubaiMed Rating.
Dr Piyush Somani Gastroenterologist
Dr Piyush Somani is consistently praised by patients for clear communication, calm manner, and successful endoscopic procedures (colonoscopy, gastroscopy, capsule endoscopy) performed at Emirates Specialty Hospital. Public evidence is strong on patient experience and procedural competence but limited or absent on formal credentials, pricing, and detailed facility/access information.
American Hospital Dubai Science Park
Based on multiple recent 5-star patient reviews and a strong Google rating, American Hospital Dubai Science Park appears to provide consistently kind, professional clinical care in a modern, clean facility. Evidence is strong on patient experience, emergency response and surgical/endoscopic care, but there is no website content or public pricing/credential information in the provided evidence.
Dr Kaiser Raja
Dr Kaiser Raja is presented as an experienced hepatologist and transplant hepatology consultant with consistently excellent patient reviews praising his diagnostic skill, long-term involvement, and communication. The website and reviews show strong expertise in complex liver disease and transplantation, but there is limited evidence about facilities, pricing, or booking processes.
Dr.Akhilesh
Dr. Akhilesh (Prime Hospital – Garhoud) is consistently praised in patient reviews for surgical skill, clear communication and attentive post‑operative follow up, and the clinic’s website highlights extensive laparoscopic and GI surgical experience. Public evidence about the physical facilities, pricing, hours or formal accreditations is limited, so judgments rely mainly on patient reports and the provider’s stated credentials.
DrNigelDubai Gastro-Liver Doc Cambridge University
Dr Nigel Beejay is presented as an experienced consultant gastroenterologist and endoscopy expert based at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah with consistently excellent patient reviews praising his communication, compassion, and clear explanations. The available evidence is strong on patient experience and clinical reputation but sparse on facility details, pricing/insurance transparency, and practical access information.
Aster Hospital - Mankhool
Aster Hospital - Mankhool is a Canadian-accredited, 100-bed hospital in Dubai with consistently positive patient reviews praising doctors, nurses and surgical/maternity outcomes. Website claims modern facilities (ICU, NICU, OTs, cath lab) and many specialties, but public evidence about pricing, wait times and parking is limited.
Swift Day Surgery
Swift Day Surgery Centre in Jumeirah shows consistently excellent patient feedback for minimally invasive procedures — reviewers repeatedly praise friendly staff, clear communication, and clean, well‑organized facilities. Website lists multiple specialist consultants and an affiliation with Biolitec, but public details on pricing, formal accreditations, and hours are limited.
Dr. Gaurav Muktesh
Dr. Gaurav Muktesh is a highly experienced gastroenterologist with strong qualifications and consistently excellent patient reviews praising communication, procedural skill and outcomes. The website documents advanced training and a large volume of endoscopic experience, but public information about clinic facilities, hours or pricing is limited.
Yugen Care by Dr. Gehad
Yugen Care by Dr. Gehad is a well-reviewed Jumeirah medical and wellness clinic with consistently positive patient reports about friendly staff, good outcomes (notably pilonidal surgery), and modern, clean facilities. Evidence is limited to the clinic website and a small sample of glowing reviews, so some operational and credential details are not documented here.
GMS Clinic
GMS Clinic is a small, downtown Dubai medical centre with consistently positive patient reviews praising clinicians, communication, and same-day access. The website lists an experienced, multilingual team and on-site diagnostics, but public information on pricing and external accreditations is limited.
Dr Cecilio Azar
Patient reviews consistently praise Dr. Cecilio Azar for kindness, clear communication, availability, and successful endoscopy/colonoscopy care. Evidence is strongly positive on patient experience and clinical outcomes, but there is little public information on facilities, pricing, or formal credentials.
HealthHub Day Surgery - Festival City
HealthHub Day Surgery - Festival City presents as a modern, well-equipped day-surgery and specialty clinic with consistently positive patient reports about staff kindness, communication, and safe procedures. The website documents extensive on-site diagnostics, a pharmacy and many specialties, but the evidence provided does not show pricing detail or formal accreditation information.
Yellowing skin or eyes in Dubai — FAQs
Common questions about yellowing skin or eyes and seeing a specialist in Dubai.
Sources & editorial note
This guide is consistent with public patient guidance from: NHS, Mayo Clinic, MedlinePlus.
This page is informational only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed doctor about your symptoms. In an emergency call 998.