Short answer
Your colon makes mucus to keep stool moving smoothly, so small amounts of clear or white mucus are normal and often go unnoticed. More mucus than usual can come from irritable bowel syndrome, infection, food intolerance or inflammatory bowel disease. Mucus together with blood, fever, severe pain or weight loss needs medical attention.
Is mucus in stool normal?
Yes, in small amounts. The lining of your intestines produces mucus to protect it and help stool pass. You usually do not see it. Seeing visible strands or a jelly-like coating now and then is not unusual. It becomes a concern when it is frequent, increasing, or comes with other symptoms.
What does the color of mucus in stool mean?
Small amounts of clear or white mucus in stool are usually normal, yellow or green mucus can go with infection or diarrhea, and mucus with blood needs checking.
| Mucus looks | Possible meaning |
|---|---|
| Clear or white | Normal in small amounts. More can be seen with IBS, constipation or irritation. |
| Yellow or green | Can be linked to infection or inflammation. Also seen with diarrhea. |
| Streaked with red or blood | Can mean inflammation, infection, hemorrhoids or other bleeding. Needs checking. |
| Large amounts, with pain or diarrhea | Can suggest inflammatory bowel disease or infection. |
What causes mucus in stool?
Common causes of extra mucus in stool include irritable bowel syndrome, gut infections, inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance, constipation and hemorrhoids.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A common cause of extra mucus, along with cramps, bloating and changes in stool.
- Gut infections. Bacterial and some parasitic infections cause mucus with diarrhea, sometimes with blood and fever.
- Inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can cause mucus, often with blood, cramps, urgency and weight loss.
- Food intolerance or allergy. Including lactose intolerance and celiac disease.
- Constipation, hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Local irritation can produce mucus near the anus.
- Bowel obstruction or colorectal cancer. Less common, but mucus with bleeding, weight loss or a lasting change in bowel habits should be checked.
Is mucus in baby poop normal?
A little mucus in baby stool is common, for example with drooling or teething. Mucus with blood, fever, watery stool or poor feeding needs a call to the pediatrician. See the baby poop color guide.
When should you see a doctor about mucus in stool?
See a doctor if you have more mucus than usual for more than a week, or mucus with diarrhea, cramps or weight loss. Mucus with a lot of blood or fever needs prompt care.
Usually fine
- Small amounts of clear or white mucus now and then, with no other symptoms
Call a doctor
- More mucus than usual for more than a week
- Mucus with ongoing diarrhea, cramps or bloating
- Mucus with unexplained weight loss or a lasting change in bowel habits
Get care now
- Mucus with a lot of blood, or black stool
- Mucus with fever, severe belly pain or signs of dehydration
Warning signs to know
These are signs that published medical guidance says need prompt or urgent care. The list is not complete, and ticking boxes cannot tell you whether you are ill. If you are worried, contact a clinician whatever you tick.
Questions people ask
What does mucus in stool look like?
It looks like clear, white or yellowish strands, or a jelly-like coating on the stool. Sometimes it passes on its own without stool.
Is white mucus in poop normal?
A small amount of white or clear mucus can be normal. Large amounts, or white mucus with pain, diarrhea or blood, should be checked.
Can IBS cause mucus in stool?
Yes. Mucus is a common symptom with IBS, alongside cramps, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea.
Is mucus in stool a sign of cancer?
It can be, but it is uncommon. Mucus is far more often due to IBS, infection or other causes. Mucus with blood, a lasting change in bowel habits or weight loss should be checked to rule out serious causes.
Why is there mucus in my stool after diarrhea?
The gut produces extra mucus when irritated by infection or inflammation. It should settle as you recover. See a doctor if it continues.
Sources
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