Urine is a rich lemon, dark orange color, which means... What does the color of urine indicate? Causes of urine color change

One of the important indicators that allows you to assess the state of metabolism is the color of urine. Most often, the fluid that the kidneys secrete is yellow, however, deviations from the norm are common. A dangerous signal can be bright yellow urine, and the reasons for the formation of urine of this particular color can be varied.
Content:

Do foods affect the color of urine?

The composition of urine is determined by the following factors:

Foods that a person usually consumes;
normal functioning of the digestive tract;
state of the system.

The pigments present in urine give it a certain color and also reflect the activity of metabolic processes that occur in the human body.

Medical practice shows that the brighter this process occurs in the tissues of the body, the yellower the resulting fluid that the kidneys secrete, and vice versa.

Human waste products are stained with urobilin, and its presence in the human body provides an answer to the question of why urine is yellow. The starting material from which urobilin is subsequently formed is bilirubin. It is this pigment that is processed:

gastrointestinal tract;
liver;
gallbladder

However, the kidneys also process bilirubin, since the organs often fail to cope with their task of completely removing this substance from the human body.

In this regard, a rich yellow color of the urethra can be observed in patients when a large amount of bilirubin has been processed in the kidneys, and the resulting urobilin is sent to the bladder. Darker and brighter urine colors in adults and older children will occur when the kidneys are under increased stress.

Do not forget the fact that the color of urine can also be influenced by the food a person eats. The fluid secreted by the kidneys may become bright yellow or reddish-yellow in color when consuming the following foods:

carrot;
pumpkin;
sparkling water with colored dyes,

It is for this reason that when specialists diagnose changes in the color of urine or the appearance of red discharge, first of all, the question is asked about what foods he consumed the day before. In the event that a urine test is carried out on representatives of the stronger sex, the level of physical activity on the body is further clarified.

Causes of bright yellow urine

Most often, the rich color of urine indicates its increased concentration and the following reasons may be the cause of this color:

violation of the water regime, that is, during the day a person consumes an insufficient amount of liquid;
heavy sweating, which indicates the body has lost a large amount of fluid
infancy period;
progression of various diseases in the human body, which are accompanied by the development of tissue swelling;
the occurrence of acute intestinal infections in the body;
taking laxative medications.

If the process of entering a sufficient amount of fluid into the human body is disrupted, this causes increased reabsorption of water in the kidneys.

It is for this reason that urine turns a rich yellow color, and this can also be observed with increased fluid loss. Over the course of a day, up to several liters of liquid in the form of sweat can evaporate from a person’s skin. During breastfeeding, a woman loses a certain amount of fluid along with milk and it is for this reason that experts recommend drinking as much water and other drinks as possible.

Dehydration can develop if an acute intestinal infection enters the human body. In such a situation, the patient begins to complain of the following symptoms:

frequent vomiting;
seizures;
increased body temperature;
increased sweating.

In some cases, bright urine can be observed if the patient takes laxatives, as well as with severe toxicosis during pregnancy.

In medical practice, there are pathologies that cause fluid retention in the human body, but are accompanied by signs of dehydration. Among these types of diseases are:

disruption of the cardiovascular system of a chronic nature;
development of cirrhosis;
progression of gestosis in the body of pregnant women.

With the development of such pathological conditions, a certain part of the blood accumulates in the intercellular space and the result is the formation of edema.

Deep yellow urine in children

In childhood, urine can change color even within one day. Immediately after the baby is born, the urine is transparent in color and within one week the newborn’s body adapts to existence in the external environment. Gradually, all the baby’s organs begin to actively work and perform their vital functions, however, in some cases a certain malfunction may occur.

If the process of such adaptation of the child’s body to external conditions is delayed or sudden changes occur in it, this can cause the urine to turn a rich yellow color. However, the detection of brightly colored urine does not mean at all that any treatment should be carried out on the child.

Often, for some time after identifying such a pathology, the color of urine may return to normal. If the urine secreted by the kidneys in a newborn does not change its rich color, this may indicate the development of various types of diseases in the child’s body or an insufficient supply of fluid. In fact, bright yellow urine is not always an indicator of dangerous diseases in the child’s body, but in such a situation it is better to show caution and attention to the baby’s condition.

Urine during pregnancy

Urine analysis during pregnancy is the main type of research, the results of which can be used to judge the condition of the woman’s entire body. It is for this reason that the expectant mother submits urine for testing before each visit to the gynecologist, which allows us to track any changes in its composition and color. If during pregnancy urine becomes bright yellow, this is not always a sure sign of a pathological condition of the body.

During pregnancy, urine staining bright yellow can occur for the following reasons:

eating foods that may change color the day before;
taking vitamins colored yellow, which are often prescribed to expectant mothers during pregnancy.

In a situation where these reasons cannot cause the urine to become a rich color, then at the first suspicious signs you should seek help from a specialist for examination.

A peculiarity of the female body is the fact that during pregnancy it is engaged not only in ensuring the normal development of the fetus, but also takes an active part in all continuous life processes. During pregnancy, excretion products are excreted from two organisms, which is not an entirely simple task.

What to do if your urine is bright yellow

If the urine turns a rich yellow color, this is not necessarily evidence of the development of any severe disease in the body. That is why you should not panic, but rather take a good look at the past days and answer a few questions:

Have you taken any medications in the last few days?
Have you consumed any brightly colored foods or drinks?

In addition, it is important to reconsider your drinking regime and if an insufficient amount of liquid enters the body, it must be replenished. However, if the rich color of your urine does not change over the next few days, you should contact your physician for advice.

While watching the video you will learn the necessary information about urine analysis.

The specialist will identify the cause of this pathological condition of the body and, if necessary, prescribe an effective one.

The color of urine can be considered a kind of compass, capable of sensitively responding to a person’s state of health. The pale yellow tint of the liquid is normal, indicating the proper functioning of all organs and systems and the absence of any pathologies. However, under the influence of various reasons, the initially transparent light yellow urine becomes saturated, darkens or fades too much, almost to the point of complete loss of color.

Considering that factors influencing changes in the quality of the excreted fluid may also be pathological, any suspicious sign requires a visit to a medical center for consultation and diagnostics to eliminate the causes of the problem.

What natural factors contribute to color change?

First, let's figure out why urine is yellow. This color of the liquid is given by urochrome, which is a combination of proteins and the pigment urobilin. Now about where urochrome comes from. When urine is excreted from the body, excess salts and liquids leave it along with the end products of various metabolic processes. Urobilin is one of these products. Its formation occurs in the intestines largely due to the influence of bacteria located there. As for the composition, it includes bile bilirubin. When it is broken down, some part is excreted with feces, the other is absorbed into the blood, from where it then enters the urine thanks to the work of the kidneys. This is what explains why urine is yellow.

Normally, transparent urine has a color from light yellow to amber. In this case, the color is determined by the concentration of the liquid. At low saturation it can be almost colorless, slightly yellowish, and at increased concentration the color becomes much more intense.

The reasons for the appearance of bright yellow urine can be different, and not only pathological, but also completely natural:

Consumption of foods that contain strong natural dyes. The list includes beets, carrots and pumpkin. Carbonated drinks, often containing food coloring, can also cause this phenomenon.
Insufficient fluid intake, which leads to dehydration. This is the most common reason, as a result of which the level of urobilin increases, which ultimately gives the urine a richer and darker shade. High ambient temperatures and excessive physical activity can also lead to fluid loss.
Among the influencing factors is increased physical stress. With such overexertion, the body's strength can be depleted, and the amount of urobilin can increase, resulting in excessively bright, although transparent, urine.

The listed factors are not capable of causing irreparable damage to human health; it is enough to adjust your diet and lifestyle to normalize the condition. If bright yellow urine is due to dehydration, the situation is considered safe only if the lost fluid reserves are replenished quickly enough. If the required measures are not taken, chronic intoxication of organs and systems cannot be ruled out, given that impaired urination leads to the accumulation of harmful substances.

The cause of very yellow urine may be taking certain medications and vitamin complexes that contain dyes. If urine strikes with its unnatural hue while taking medications, you should not cancel them, since such a symptom disappears after the coloring matter is eliminated from the body - that is, after the therapeutic course is completed. The list of drugs that cause urination to result in an unnatural shade of liquid includes:

Nitroxoline. Its use is justified by the development of cystitis; the result of use can be bright yellow urine in women.
Urine becomes bright yellow when using folic acid and Riboflavin.
The antimicrobial drug Fosfomycin provokes the formation of orange urine.

Fact. In addition to these medications, there are other substances that can lead to darkening of urine and a change in its color properties, and not necessarily towards the yellow spectrum.

Change in urine color under the influence of pathological factors

If natural causes have been completely excluded, you should think about the possibility of the influence of pathological factors causing a change in the normal color of urine to bright yellow. To confirm assumptions and concerns, it is necessary to visit a medical facility to undergo an examination and prescribe therapy if necessary.

Let's look at why urine becomes bright yellow when the functionality of some organs and systems is impaired:

Development of urolithiasis. Stones, which are salt deposits, are able to absorb part of the liquid, accordingly, the urine becomes more concentrated, and its color becomes too saturated.
Diseases that impair the functionality of the liver. At the same time, the concentration of urobilin increases, and the color of the urine changes.
Preeclampsia is a complication that can affect women carrying a child. It develops in the later stages of pregnancy and is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure, increased swelling and other unpleasant phenomena. In this case, fluid loss occurs, and the color of the urine changes accordingly.
The cause of the appearance of a poisonous lemon tint can be obstructive jaundice.
With digestive disorders, diarrhea occurs, often accompanied by vomiting attacks. The result is dehydration, causing the excreted fluid to darken.
A whitish tint can be caused by fatty degeneration and the breakdown of kidney tissue.
Dark yellow color of urine can appear with the development of stagnation in the kidneys, with burns, swelling, toxicosis and fever. In such conditions, the level of dyes increases.

Abnormal conditions in which urine is saturated yellow or too pale in color may be accompanied by other symptoms that cannot be ignored.

Why does bright urine appear in women?

Interestingly, in a man, woman or child, the reasons that cause the color change can be completely different. First, let's look at what the appearance of yellow-yellow urine means in the fairer sex. Here you should take into account the brightness of the shade. For example, thick and darkened urine in women is observed much more often than in men due to the anatomical features and structure of the genitourinary system.

Yellow urine with a dark tint can be caused by:

Inflammatory phenomena affecting the appendages, developing as a result of prolonged hypothermia or due to infection with dangerous microorganisms of the reproductive system.
If the urine has become dark, the menstrual period may soon begin; the same phenomenon can be observed for several days after its cessation, which is due to the release of residual capillary blood.
The development of a malignant neoplasm in the uterine cervix is another explanation for what causes the darkening of the color of urine.
Changes can be triggered by acute cystitis, when concern is caused not only by the shade of urine, but also by severe cutting pain that appears in the lower abdomen.
Saturated yellow urine can be caused by infection of the vaginal mucosa; usually we are talking about infections transmitted through sexual contact.

Too bright yellowness can be explained by increased sweating, intoxication, in which there is an increase in temperature and the appearance of vomiting, the presence of salts, proteins and blood cells in the urine.

Another condition in which normally clear, light-colored urine becomes brighter or too dark is pregnancy. This condition is always accompanied by changes in hormonal levels and the appearance of electrolyte imbalance against the background of increased load on all systems of the mother. What does it mean? We are talking about difficulty in the functioning of the kidneys or liver, as a result of which the urine becomes a different color.

It is possible that increased saturation indicates the use of vitamin complexes - this is how some drugs prescribed to expectant mothers can manifest themselves.

Important. Whatever the reason causes the observed changes, when they appear, qualified medical assistance is required.

Why do the quality of excreted fluid change in men?

We looked at the reasons why women may experience bright yellow urine. Now let's talk about the strong field, since the discharge of yellow urine in men is also not that uncommon. Take the same leukocytes - their number is of great importance for the transparency and color of the liquid. Various diseases can cause fluctuations in their number, including:

Accelerated breakdown of red blood cells, which is closely related to alcohol consumption, smoking, drugs, hazardous working conditions, when you have to constantly deal with salts of heavy metals and vapors of organic acids.
The active occurrence of dyspeptic processes, when, against the background of improperly structured nutrition, excess bile enters the digestive system, and the amount of enzyme produced is more than is required for the absorption of foods.
Sometimes urine becomes a different color in men due to chronic or acute prostatitis.
Another reason to seek help is a change in the characteristics of urine due to pathologies affecting the kidneys and the resulting stagnation.

It should be noted that the presence of the listed pathological conditions causes the appearance of excessively yellow urine, and sometimes it is accompanied by abnormal processes, which leads to gluing of the urethral sponges. As a result, secretions accumulate on them, mixing with urine during its elimination from the body, which leads to cloudiness of the liquid.

Change in children

Separately, it is worth considering the change in the shade of urine in children. In an infant, the urine may be very light, resembling furatsilin, and almost colorless, which is facilitated by the small amount of urobilin produced by the body. Gradually, all processes, including the production of enzymes, are normalized and urine acquires a healthy hue. It should be noted that for a child, changing the shade of the liquid several times throughout the day is quite common. It indicates the attempts of the urinary system to adapt to independent work. There is no need to panic when a bright yellow tint appears, but it makes sense to observe the color. And if the liquid does not acquire a normal color after some time, you should consult your pediatrician.

Why might a child have acid-yellow urine, and for what reasons does it darken? The reasons are most often the same as in adult patients - it may be taking pharmaceuticals that contain a coloring pigment.

Inflammatory processes after hypothermia, viral liver diseases, dehydration, and an incorrectly designed nutritional plan, in which the diet includes foods rich in protein - fish and meat varieties, beans, can affect the color.

How to act if the properties of urine change

What should you do if an adult or child experiences the appearance of bright yellow urine or a darkening of the natural color? If violations occur over several days, you should visit a therapist, who, after an initial examination, will redirect the patient to the right doctor, be it a urologist, nephrologist, gynecologist or surgeon. If the color of a child’s urine is disturbed, an examination by a pediatrician is necessary. In order for this urine indicator to acquire a natural shade, the following actions may be required:

Change your diet by removing from it those foods that contain dyes, and review your drinking regime.
Consult your doctor about taking pills that cause this effect.
Reduce physical activity.

In cases where, after taking measures, an attempt to pee results in the release of suspicious-colored fluid, you should consult a doctor. If the color change is caused by various pathologies, conservative therapy may be required to eliminate them. If there are signs indicating inflammatory processes, antimicrobial drugs are prescribed.

Darkening of urine after alcohol poisoning leads to the use of enzymes and hepatoprotectors. In the case of oncological processes that change the color of the liquid, surgical removal of the tumor is required. In case of kidney pathologies, the color of urine can change only after prolonged drug treatment and following diet rules.

In addition, you will need to revise your lifestyle and eliminate bad habits. The most effective method to change the color to normal shades is to drink large volumes of liquid.

The color of urine is the main visual indicator of metabolism in the body. Urine in a healthy person has a light yellow tint; in some situations, urine staining dark yellow does not require any therapeutic action. But in most cases, bright yellow urine indicates the progression of various pathologies.

It is important to consult a specialist in time, undergo a series of tests to help make the correct diagnosis, and prescribe the necessary course of treatment. Taking any medications on your own is strictly prohibited. The presence of accompanying symptoms plays an important role, so if you notice a change in the color of urine, remember the presence of pain when urinating, other symptoms and impurities in the urine.

Healthy urine color

Normally, urine has a light yellow tint. The specific color depends on the amount of urochrome pigment (the final metabolite of red blood cell hemoglobin). The presence of diseases of the excretory system leads to disturbances in the filtration and selective function of the kidneys.

Impaired filtration in the glomeruli of the kidneys leads to the entry of certain elements into the urine, for example, red blood cells, proteins, leukocytes, and failures in reabsorption lead to the return of substances back into the blood. For this reason, the patient's urine is colored in a nonspecific shade. The color of a patient's urine is often used to make an approximate diagnosis.

Possible causes of bright yellow urine color

Urine can acquire a richly bright yellow color due to various physiological processes.

Do not be alarmed if you notice a change in the color of your urine; most cases of this state of affairs are the result of harmless physiological processes:

eating special foods capable of “coloring” urine. Today there are few completely natural products left. Manufacturers add many different dyes and preservatives that can affect the color of human urine. This category includes brightly colored carbonated drinks, carrots, and various sweets. In this case, there is no need to worry; doctors recommend that you stop using this product in the future;
dehydration. It is a fairly common cause of bright yellow urine. The process leads to active reabsorption of water, the concentration of urine increases, and against the background of this process the liquid itself acquires a rich yellow tint. The causes of dehydration are not only a lack of water or hot weather, the pathology is observed against the background of intestinal infections, a number of other diseases, intense exercise, severe toxicosis during pregnancy;
taking special medications or vitamins. Most active components of medicinal products are not completely absorbed and are excreted in the urine, which can affect its color. These drugs include vitamins B, A, C, and nitrofuran. After the body is completely cleansed of the components of the medicine, the urine will again become its usual color.

Urine of a rich yellow color is found in patients with serious pathologies:

. The formation of salts in the patient’s urinary system leads to the formation of sand, then its elements stick together, forming various sizes. Salts gradually absorb liquid, which affects the concentration of urine, including its color;
gestosis. It is a serious complication in pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy. The complication is accompanied by constant high blood pressure, swelling of the limbs, face, and proteinuria. In such a situation, dehydration leads to a change in the patient’s usual urine color;
liver diseases. Urobilin in increased quantities (observed when there is a malfunction of the liver) causes the patient’s urine to turn bright yellow;
genetic or individual characteristics metabolism in the patient's body. Increased formation of salts leads to constant coloration of urine in a rich yellow shade. In the future, the pathology contributes to the formation of sand and stones, which can cause the development. Be vigilant, take good care of your health, and if you constantly have nonspecific urine color, visit a specialist.

On a note! The course of the pathology is accompanied by a detailed clinical picture, not only a change in the color of the patient’s urine. To identify the provoking factor of poor health, consult a doctor and undergo an examination. Based on the results obtained, the doctor will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary therapeutic course.

Change in urine color during pregnancy

Urine during this period is the main indicator of the condition of the mother and unborn baby. A urine test is indicated at every visit to the doctor to clearly monitor its composition and color. The bright yellow color of urine in pregnant women is not always a sign of any disease. Many women are prescribed multivitamin complexes that can change the color of urine; taste preferences play an important role.

During pregnancy, the female body takes on the entire burden and is responsible for the viability of the fetus. Continuous operation of the excretory system can lead to its overload and urine coloration in a non-specific shade. Do not panic when a pathology is detected, but you cannot ignore the symptom either. Consult a doctor, the doctor will identify the root cause of the pathological condition and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

In men

Urine in men also changes color when taking certain medications or eating “coloring” foods. The color of urine of the stronger sex is affected by the abuse of fatty foods and alcoholic beverages. After gatherings with friends, it is recommended to increase the volume of fluid consumed and follow a diet for at least several days after a heavy load on the body.

If the color of urine changes during the course of the disease, the urine acquires a fetid odor, and sometimes the appearance of inclusions of blood, pus, and other impurities is noted. Often the cause of the pathological condition is prostatitis. The disease is getting younger every year, so take preventive measures and monitor the condition of the urinary system.

Go to the address and read about the treatment of coral kidney stones with folk remedies.

In children

Urine in children, as in adults, indicates the state of metabolic processes and the excretory system. After birth, the baby’s urine is almost transparent; the baby’s body needs time to independently perform vital operations. If the urine does not become normal in color, take your child to the doctor. Pathology may indicate the presence of congenital diseases or lack of fluid intake.

There is no need to panic if your baby’s urine turns a bright color; it should also not be ignored. The child’s quality of life and its duration will depend on timely treatment.

Symptoms

Depending on the accompanying signs, you can first find out what led to the urine turning bright yellow:

the absence of additional symptoms indicates physiological reasons for the development of the problem (a side effect after taking medications, eating special foods, alcohol abuse);
the presence of blood in the urine, painful urination indicates inflammatory processes in the kidneys, excretory ducts, and urolithiasis. The walls of the urinary system organs can be damaged by pathogens or the movement of stones;
chills, elevated body temperature, and other signs of intoxication are formed against the background of an acute course of infectious processes (, and others).

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of discomfort. Do not take any action on your own, otherwise it will be difficult to avoid worsening the situation.

An experienced doctor selects specific treatment tactics. Depending on the disease, the patient is prescribed specific medications, diet, and drinking regime is adjusted. In addition to medications, pay special attention to changing your diet. Most diseases of the excretory system are formed against the background of poor nutrition and lack of water in the body.

It is possible to prevent changes in urine color if certain rules are followed:

watch your drinking regime. A healthy person is recommended to drink at least two liters of clean water per day. Intense sports, high air temperatures require adjustment of this dose (increase the amount of water by half a liter);
Treat diseases of the genitourinary system in a timely manner. Most cases of changes in urine color are based on the background of pathologies in this area;
During pregnancy, take only those medications prescribed by your doctor. Self-medication can lead to unwanted side effects (non-specific color of urine);
Before eating brightly colored foods, be prepared for the possibility that your urine may change color. Don’t be alarmed in this situation; increase the amount of fluid per day, which will help quickly remove the “coloring” components of a drink or dish.

Follow preventive recommendations and visit a doctor if necessary. A change in the color of urine in any case indicates certain processes in the body; ignoring the sign can lead to a deterioration in well-being and the development of serious complications.

Find out more about what the color of urine means after watching the following video:

Urine is a biological fluid that is the result of human activity. Most people do not pay attention to the color of urine, which is a mistake. The shade of urine is an indicator that reflects the state of human health.

Often urine takes on a bright yellow color. This change will be the result of food consumption or provoked by a serious pathology. To exclude the possibility of developing the disease, you should consult a urologist.

Urine is a biological fluid that is the result of human activity

Reasons why urine is yellow

The color of urine depends on the amount of pigments in it - urobilin, urochrome, urorosein. The change in the shade of biological fluid is explained by the presence of pathological processes in the body.

Provoking factors include:

diet – consumption of products with added preservatives, dyes, and flavors. Colored drinks, black coffee, alcohol and other foods turn urine yellow;
dehydration – with water deficiency, the genitourinary system is disrupted. Toxic substances and processed foods do not leave the body, but remain in it, causing intoxication. The concentration of pigments in biological fluid increases, which contributes to a change in shade;
taking medications - most medications consist of active components that are retained in the kidneys and affect the color change of urine;
climate – sudden changes in weather conditions lead to the loss of a large amount of fluid;
During pregnancy and breastfeeding;
eating large amounts of salty foods, which causes sediment to form in the urine.

The color of urine depends on the amount of pigments in it

The cause of yellow urine can be an inflammatory process in the genitourinary system, an infectious disease that disrupts the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, or a genetic predisposition.

Yellow urine in women during pregnancy

During pregnancy, women's urine takes on a lemon tint. While carrying a child, girls regularly undergo special tests that reflect the health status of the expectant mother.

If a change in the shade of biological fluid is associated with the development of pathology, the doctor will promptly identify the deviation and eliminate it. The most dangerous diagnosis is gestosis, which is characterized by severe dehydration, swelling and increased blood pressure.

During pregnancy, women's urine takes on a lemon tint.

The cause of yellow urine in pregnant girls is considered to be a hormone imbalance. The body is subjected to high stress, which causes the kidneys to work harder. This process provokes dehydration: toxins settle in the body and contribute to a change in the color of urine.

Yellow urine in children

The urine of a newborn baby in the first days of life is transparent. Gradually adapting to the surrounding world, the child’s body begins to function fully. Bright yellow urine in children is not a pathology, but the result of changes in the body. Yellowness can appear immediately after birth or after a couple of months.

The urine of a newborn baby in the first days of life is transparent

Young children are not able to report a deterioration in their well-being or negative changes affecting their health. Parents should monitor the color of their baby's urine. If the yellow color is present for more than 7 days, you should consult a doctor; a change may indicate the development of the disease. It is forbidden to begin self-treatment of a child; this may aggravate his condition.

Causes of yellow urine in men

The reason for the change in the shade of the liquid is the consumption of foods that contain a large amount of pigment - beets, asparagus, pumpkin, carrot juice.

The reason for the change in the color of the liquid is the consumption of certain foods

The color of male urine can change as a result of excessive physical activity. Sports and regular exercise reduce the amount of water in the body and increase the process of sweating.

Taking medications and urine color

The color of urine often changes under the influence of drug therapy. The use of vitamin and mineral complexes, dietary supplements, and antibiotics can cause yellow urine. These drugs include medications containing vitamin B, which easily dissolves in water.

Urine color may change due to medication use

Water deficiency leads to the fact that the body cannot absorb synthetic components, so the kidneys directly remove harmful substances. If the drug does not contain coloring components, the color of the liquid may be affected by its shell, which also consists of dyes.