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Health A-ZNHS HEALTH INFORMATION

Jaundice

NHS information about jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow. It's caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin.

Overview

Jaundice is when your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can be a sign of something serious, such as liver disease, so you need to get urgent medical help.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • your skin or the white part of your eyes look yellow

You may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Symptoms of jaundice

Causes of jaundice

You may get jaundice if a substance called bilirubin builds up in your body.

There are lots of possible reasons for this and some of them are serious.

They include:

Treatments for jaundice depend on what's causing it.

Information:

Jaundice in babies

Jaundice is common in newborn babies and is usually harmless.

Find out about jaundice in babies

Page last reviewed: 22 January 2024
Next review due: 22 January 2027

Information sourced from the NHS. If you have concerns about your medication or symptoms, pop in or call Hedon Pharmacy - we're here to help.

Read on nhs.uk
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