Short answer

Yellow poop is often caused by diet, fast digestion or a stomach bug. Yellow stool that is greasy, smelly, pale and floating can mean fat is not being absorbed, which is linked to conditions such as celiac disease, pancreas problems and some infections. If it lasts more than a couple of weeks, or comes with yellow skin or belly pain, see a doctor.

What causes yellow stool?

Yellow stool is most often caused by diet, diarrhea, or fat that is not being absorbed properly, which can happen with celiac disease, pancreas problems or infections such as giardia.

  • Diet. Carrots, sweet potato, turmeric and foods with yellow or orange dye can tint stool yellow.
  • Diarrhea. When food moves through quickly, stool can be loose and yellow. This often happens with stomach infections.
  • Fat not absorbed (steatorrhea). Stool with extra fat looks pale yellow, greasy and bulky, smells very foul, and often floats.
  • Celiac disease. Damage to the gut lining after eating gluten reduces fat absorption.
  • Pancreas problems. If the pancreas does not release enough digestive enzymes, fat passes through undigested. Causes include chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.
  • Gallbladder or bile problems. Too little bile means fat is not broken down properly.
  • Infections. Giardia, a gut parasite, is a classic cause of yellow, greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome. Stool can range in color, and yellow diarrhea is one pattern some people see.

What does yellow diarrhea mean?

Yellow, watery stool usually points to a stomach infection, a food trigger, or IBS. Many cases settle within a few days. Staying hydrated matters. If diarrhea lasts more than two days, or you notice blood, fever, or signs of dehydration, contact a clinician.

Is yellow poop normal in babies?

Yellow, mustard-colored stool is common and usually normal in breastfed babies, and it is often soft and seedy. See the baby poop color guide for the full range.

When is yellow stool a concern?

Yellow stool is a concern if it is greasy, foul-smelling and floating for more than a couple of weeks, or if it comes with yellow skin, weight loss or belly pain.

Usually harmless

  • It follows carrots, sweet potato, turmeric or yellow food dye
  • It goes away within a few days and you feel well

Call a doctor within a day or two

  • Yellow, greasy, floating stool that keeps happening for more than a couple of weeks
  • Yellow stool with weight loss, bloating, or frequent diarrhea
  • Diarrhea for more than two days

Get care now

  • Yellow skin or eyes together with pale stool, dark urine or severe belly pain
  • Yellow diarrhea with blood, high fever, 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.

Warning signs

Questions people ask

Is yellow poop normal?

It can be. Diet and quick digestion often explain it, and yellow stool is usually normal in breastfed babies. Yellow, greasy, foul-smelling stool that lasts is not typical and should be checked.

Why is my poop yellow and greasy?

Greasy yellow stool usually means extra fat is passing through undigested. This is called steatorrhea. It can be linked to celiac disease, pancreas or gallbladder problems, or an infection such as giardia. See a doctor if it keeps happening.

What does yellow diarrhea mean?

Yellow diarrhea is most often from a stomach infection, a food that disagrees with you, or irritable bowel syndrome. It usually clears in a few days. Persistent yellow diarrhea should be assessed.

Can yellow stool be caused by stress?

Stress can speed up your gut and loosen stool, which can change its color. It is unlikely to be the whole story if yellow stool is greasy or lasts for weeks.

Can antibiotics make stool yellow?

They can. Antibiotics disturb gut bacteria and can cause loose, yellow or green stool. Tell your doctor if you have severe or bloody diarrhea during or after a course.

Sources

Important. This page is general information only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. StoolColor is not written or reviewed by a doctor, and using this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always ask a doctor or other qualified clinician about any symptom or medical question, and never ignore or delay professional advice because of something you read here.

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