Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin, the whites of the eyes and sometimes other tissues because too much of a substance called bilirubin has accumulated in the body.
It can occur in newborn babies, children and adults.
Jaundice is not a disease by itself. Instead, it is a visible sign that something is affecting the production, processing or removal of bilirubin.
Some causes are relatively harmless, while others require urgent medical treatment.
For that reason, new or unexplained jaundice should not simply be treated at home without determining its cause.
What Is Bilirubin?
Your body continuously replaces old red blood cells.
When red blood cells are broken down, haemoglobin is processed and bilirubin is produced.
The liver plays a major role in processing bilirubin.
After bilirubin has been processed by the liver, it passes into bile and eventually leaves the body, mainly through the digestive system.
If too much bilirubin is produced, the liver cannot process it normally, or bile cannot flow properly, bilirubin can accumulate in the blood.
As levels rise, the skin and whites of the eyes may become yellow.
What Does Jaundice Look Like?
The most recognisable sign is a yellow colour in the whites of the eyes or skin.
Jaundice can be more difficult to recognise from skin colour alone in people with darker skin tones.
Looking at the whites of the eyes may make the yellow colour easier to notice.
However, visual appearance alone cannot determine the bilirubin level or identify the cause.
Medical testing may be necessary.
Is Jaundice the Same as Liver Disease?
No.
Jaundice can be a sign of liver disease, but not everyone with jaundice has the same liver problem.
Bilirubin can build up for several different reasons.
A useful way to understand the causes is to consider three broad situations:
- too much bilirubin is being produced,
- the liver is having difficulty processing or removing bilirubin, or
- bile flow from the liver is blocked or impaired.
The actual cause needs to be identified before appropriate treatment can be selected.
What Causes Jaundice in Adults?
Many conditions can cause jaundice.
Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
Several viruses can cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.
Some forms cause short-term illness, while hepatitis B and C can become chronic and eventually cause serious liver damage.
Jaundice can occur during viral hepatitis, although not everyone with hepatitis develops noticeable jaundice.
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Heavy alcohol consumption over time can damage the liver.
Advanced liver injury may interfere with the liver's ability to process bilirubin and can result in jaundice.
Not everyone who drinks alcohol develops liver disease, but long-term excessive consumption increases the risk.
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Fat can accumulate in the liver and, in some people, cause inflammation and progressive liver damage.
This condition is associated with metabolic risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Advanced liver disease may eventually cause jaundice.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis occurs when long-term liver damage causes extensive scarring.
Possible causes include chronic hepatitis B or C, alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic liver disease.
As cirrhosis progresses, jaundice can develop because the damaged liver can no longer perform its normal functions effectively.
Gallstones
Gallstones can sometimes block the tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder into the intestine.
A blockage can cause bilirubin to accumulate.
Depending on the circumstances, someone may also experience significant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or fever.
Pancreatic or Bile-Duct Problems
Diseases affecting the pancreas or bile ducts can obstruct bile flow.
These include inflammation, narrowing of the bile ducts and, less commonly, cancer.
Jaundice accompanied by unexplained weight loss or persistent abdominal symptoms should be medically investigated.
Blood Disorders
Conditions that cause red blood cells to break down unusually quickly can produce more bilirubin than the liver can process efficiently.
This is called haemolysis.
Certain inherited and acquired blood disorders can cause haemolysis.
Certain Medicines and Toxins
Some medicines, herbal products, supplements and toxins can injure the liver or interfere with bilirubin processing.
This does not mean you should stop prescribed medicine simply because jaundice is listed as a possible side effect.
If jaundice develops while taking medication, seek medical advice promptly and tell the healthcare professional about all medicines, supplements and herbal products you use.
Inherited Conditions
Some inherited conditions affect the way bilirubin is processed.
One example is Gilbert syndrome, which can cause mild episodes of increased bilirubin.
People with Gilbert syndrome generally do not develop serious liver damage from the condition itself.
Other inherited bilirubin disorders are much rarer.
Can Malaria Cause Jaundice?
Yes, severe malaria can sometimes cause jaundice.
Malaria can damage red blood cells and, in severe disease, affect organs including the liver.
However, jaundice does not automatically mean someone has malaria.
Where malaria is present, diagnosis should be based on appropriate medical assessment and testing rather than symptoms alone.
What Symptoms Can Occur With Jaundice?
Jaundice itself causes yellow discolouration, but additional symptoms depend on the underlying condition.
These may include:
- yellow skin,
- yellowing of the whites of the eyes,
- dark urine,
- unusually pale or clay-coloured stools,
- itchy skin,
- tiredness,
- nausea or vomiting,
- loss of appetite,
- abdominal pain,
- fever,
- and unexplained weight loss.
The combination of symptoms can provide clues, but laboratory tests and sometimes imaging are required to determine the cause.
Why Can Urine Become Dark?
Certain forms of bilirubin can enter the urine when bilirubin levels rise.
This can make urine appear darker than usual.
Dark urine can have many other causes, including dehydration, medicines, foods and blood in the urine.
Dark urine combined with yellow eyes or skin should therefore be medically assessed.
Why Can Stools Become Pale?
Bile contributes to the normal brown colour of stool.
If bile cannot reach the intestine normally because of an obstruction or another problem, stools may become unusually pale, grey or clay-coloured.
Pale stools together with jaundice can be an important sign of impaired bile flow and should not be ignored.
How Is Jaundice Diagnosed?
A healthcare professional will usually begin by asking about:
- when the yellowing started,
- other symptoms,
- alcohol consumption,
- medicines,
- supplements and herbal products,
- previous liver problems,
- possible hepatitis exposure,
- recent travel,
- and relevant family or medical history.
A physical examination may also be performed.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are commonly used to investigate jaundice.
These may include:
- total and direct bilirubin,
- liver enzymes,
- blood-cell measurements,
- tests of liver function,
- and tests for hepatitis or other conditions when appropriate.
The pattern of the test results can help determine whether the problem involves the liver, increased red-blood-cell breakdown or obstruction of bile flow.
Imaging Tests
Depending on the suspected cause, imaging may be recommended.
This can include:
- ultrasound,
- CT scanning,
- MRI,
- or specialised imaging of the bile ducts.
An ultrasound is often useful when gallstones or bile-duct obstruction is suspected.
Not everyone with jaundice needs every type of scan.
Is There a Treatment for Jaundice?
There is no single treatment that simply “cures jaundice.”
Treatment depends on why bilirubin has accumulated.
For example:
- a bile-duct blockage may need to be relieved,
- some infections require specific treatment,
- chronic hepatitis may require antiviral treatment,
- medication-related liver injury may require changes directed by a healthcare professional,
- certain blood disorders require their own treatment,
- and serious liver disease may need specialist management.
The goal is to treat the underlying condition rather than merely trying to remove the yellow colour.
Can Diet Cure Jaundice?
No particular food or “liver cleanse” has been proven to cure all causes of jaundice.
A nutritious diet can support general health, but it cannot remove a gallstone blocking a bile duct, cure hepatitis C by itself or reverse every form of serious liver disease.
Be particularly cautious of products advertised online as:
- liver detoxes,
- jaundice cleanses,
- herbal liver cures,
- bilirubin flushes,
- or guaranteed hepatitis treatments.
Some herbal products and supplements can themselves cause liver injury.
Can Jaundice Be Prevented?
Because jaundice has many causes, there is no single method that prevents every case.
However, some underlying conditions can be prevented or their risks reduced.
Vaccination Against Hepatitis
Vaccination is an important way to prevent certain viral hepatitis infections.
Safe and effective vaccines are available against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B vaccination is particularly important globally because chronic hepatitis B can eventually cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
There is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C.
Fortunately, modern antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C infection.
Vaccine recommendations differ between countries, ages and risk groups, so follow the immunisation guidance where you live.
Reduce Viral Hepatitis Risk
Depending on the particular hepatitis virus, prevention measures can include:
- vaccination where available,
- safe food and drinking water,
- good hand hygiene,
- avoiding sharing needles,
- safe medical injections,
- properly sterilised tattooing and piercing equipment,
- screened blood supplies,
- and safer sexual practices.
Different hepatitis viruses spread in different ways, so prevention is not identical for every type.
Protect Your Liver From Alcohol-Related Harm
Avoiding or limiting alcohol can reduce the risk of alcohol-related liver disease.
Someone who drinks heavily every day and may be physically dependent on alcohol should seek professional advice before suddenly stopping, because alcohol withdrawal can sometimes be dangerous.
Be Careful With Medicines and Supplements
Take medicines according to instructions.
Do not exceed recommended doses.
Do not combine medicines without checking whether it is safe.
And tell your healthcare professional about supplements and herbal products you use.
“Natural” does not automatically mean harmless to the liver.
Maintain Overall Metabolic Health
Regular physical activity, nutritious eating and appropriate weight management can help reduce the risk of metabolic conditions associated with fatty liver disease.
These habits support general liver health, but they cannot guarantee that jaundice will never occur.
Jaundice in Newborn Babies Is Different
Jaundice is very common during the first days after birth.
Newborn babies naturally break down red blood cells, and their developing liver may initially be less efficient at processing bilirubin.
Many newborns therefore develop mild jaundice that resolves.
However, newborn jaundice should still be monitored carefully because very high bilirubin levels can be dangerous.
Why High Bilirubin Can Be Dangerous for Babies
If a newborn's bilirubin becomes extremely high, bilirubin can affect the brain.
Severe untreated hyperbilirubinaemia can cause a rare but serious form of brain injury known as kernicterus.
This is why significant newborn jaundice should never be dismissed simply because jaundice is common in babies.
When Does a Jaundiced Baby Need Urgent Assessment?
Seek prompt medical care for a newborn if:
- jaundice appears during the first 24 hours after birth,
- the yellow colour is becoming rapidly more intense,
- the palms or soles appear yellow,
- the baby is difficult to wake,
- the baby is feeding poorly,
- the baby has abnormal movements or seizures,
- the baby has breathing difficulties,
- the baby has fever or seems seriously unwell,
- or you are otherwise concerned.
Healthcare professionals may measure bilirubin through the skin or with a blood test.
Treatment depends on the bilirubin level, baby's age, gestational age and other risk factors.
How Is Newborn Jaundice Treated?
Many babies with mild jaundice require monitoring rather than treatment.
When bilirubin becomes high enough to require treatment, phototherapy may be used.
Phototherapy uses special light to help the baby's body eliminate bilirubin.
More severe cases may require additional hospital treatment.
Do not try to treat significant newborn jaundice by simply putting a baby in direct sunlight.
Professional assessment is important because visual inspection alone cannot reliably determine the bilirubin level.
When Should an Adult With Jaundice Seek Medical Care?
New unexplained jaundice in an adult should be medically assessed promptly.
Do not wait several weeks to see whether yellow eyes disappear on their own.
Seek medical attention particularly if jaundice occurs with:
- abdominal pain,
- fever,
- persistent vomiting,
- confusion,
- unusual sleepiness,
- bleeding,
- very pale stools,
- dark urine,
- unexplained weight loss,
- severe weakness,
- or rapidly worsening illness.
When Is Jaundice an Emergency?
Seek urgent medical attention or contact the emergency medical service where you live if someone with jaundice:
- becomes confused or difficult to wake,
- loses consciousness,
- has severe abdominal pain with fever,
- has significant bleeding or vomits blood,
- has severe breathing difficulty,
- develops seizures,
- or appears critically ill.
These symptoms can indicate a serious underlying illness and should not be managed using home remedies.
Jaundice and Liver Failure
Jaundice does not automatically mean that the liver is failing.
However, severe liver failure can cause jaundice together with other dangerous symptoms.
These can include confusion, abnormal bleeding, swelling, severe weakness and deterioration in consciousness.
Acute liver failure is a medical emergency.
This is another reason sudden jaundice combined with serious symptoms requires urgent evaluation.
What About Children Who Are No Longer Newborns?
Jaundice in an older baby or child should not automatically be assumed to be normal newborn jaundice.
Possible causes differ by age and circumstances.
A child who develops yellow skin or yellow eyes should be medically assessed so the underlying cause can be identified.
Five Important Things to Remember About Jaundice
1. Jaundice is a sign, not one disease.
Many different conditions can cause bilirubin to accumulate.
2. Yellow eyes matter.
New unexplained yellowing of the whites of the eyes deserves medical attention.
3. Don't diagnose the cause yourself.
Jaundice can result from liver disease, blood disorders, bile obstruction, infections and other conditions.
4. Babies require special attention.
Newborn jaundice is common, but very high bilirubin can be dangerous.
5. Treat the cause—not just the colour.
There is no universal food, supplement or detox remedy for jaundice.
The Bottom Line
Jaundice occurs when bilirubin accumulates and causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
It is a sign of an underlying process rather than a disease itself.
In adults, possible causes include viral hepatitis, liver disease, gallstones, bile-duct obstruction, blood disorders, certain medicines and other medical conditions.
In newborns, jaundice is common, but high bilirubin levels can occasionally cause serious complications and therefore need appropriate monitoring.
Treatment depends entirely on the cause.
There is no single diet, herbal remedy or “detox” that safely treats every form of jaundice.
If you or your child develops unexplained jaundice, seek appropriate medical assessment rather than trying to determine the cause from skin colour alone.
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general health information for an international audience and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Jaundice has many possible causes, some of which can be serious. New or unexplained jaundice should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional. For severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care or contact the emergency medical service where you live.
Sources and Further Reading
World Health Organization — Hepatitis A
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-a
World Health Organization — Hepatitis B
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b
World Health Organization — Hepatitis C
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
World Health Organization — Caring for a Newborn
https://www.who.int/tools/your-life-your-health/life-phase/newborns-and-children-under-5-years/caring-for-newborns
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases — Liver Disease
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease
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