General
Yellow skin or eyes
A yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin caused by a build-up of bilirubin, a pigment normally cleared by the liver — which can follow harmless or short-lived problems but can also be the first sign of serious liver, bile-duct or blood disease.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of yellow skin or eyes and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is yellow skin or eyes?
Jaundice is the visible result of too much bilirubin in the blood, a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells are broken down and normally processed by the liver and passed out in the bile. When this system is disrupted — because too many red cells are being destroyed, because the liver itself is damaged or inflamed, or because the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked — bilirubin builds up and stains first the whites of the eyes and then the skin yellow.
- Get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if jaundice comes with confusion, severe drowsiness or difficulty staying awake — this can mean the liver is failing. Seek a same-day appointment for jaundice with a high fever, shivering and tummy pain, which can signal a serious infection of the bile system.
- Self-care: Jaundice is always a sign that something needs investigating, so it is not a symptom to manage with self-care alone — the priority is to have the cause identified.
About yellow skin or eyes
Jaundice is the visible result of too much bilirubin in the blood, a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells are broken down and normally processed by the liver and passed out in the bile. When this system is disrupted — because too many red cells are being destroyed, because the liver itself is damaged or inflamed, or because the flow of bile out of the liver is blocked — bilirubin builds up and stains first the whites of the eyes and then the skin yellow. The colour is often easiest to see in good daylight in the whites of the eyes. The pattern of other symptoms gives important clues: pale, putty-coloured stools and dark urine suggest a blockage to the bile, while a tender right upper tummy, fever or weight loss point to the liver or bile ducts. Painless jaundice that creeps on with weight loss is particularly important, and jaundice with confusion or drowsiness is an emergency.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if yellow skin or eyes comes with any of these warning signs:
- Call 999 or go to A&E if jaundice comes with confusion, severe drowsiness or difficulty staying awake — this can mean the liver is failing.
- Seek a same-day appointment for jaundice with a high fever, shivering and tummy pain, which can signal a serious infection of the bile system.
- Arrange an urgent appointment for jaundice that comes on without pain, especially with weight loss or itching, as this can be a sign of pancreatic, bile-duct or liver cancer.
- Seek urgent help if jaundice appears with pale, putty-coloured stools and very dark urine, which suggests the bile flow is blocked.
- Get urgent help if you notice easy bruising, bleeding or vomiting blood alongside jaundice.
When to see a doctor
Any new yellowing of the eyes or skin should be assessed promptly rather than watched at home. Treat jaundice with confusion, drowsiness, a high fever or vomiting blood as an emergency and seek immediate help. Painless jaundice, particularly with weight loss or itching, always needs an urgent appointment to rule out a serious cause. Even when you feel otherwise well, arrange to be seen quickly so blood tests and a scan can establish whether the problem lies in the blood, the liver or the bile ducts.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of yellow skin or eyes
Yellow skin or eyes has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Jaundice is always a sign that something needs investigating, so it is not a symptom to manage with self-care alone — the priority is to have the cause identified. While arranging assessment you can help yourself and your clinician by avoiding alcohol completely, drinking plenty of water unless told otherwise, and resting. Make a note of the colour of your urine and stools, whether you have any tummy pain or itching, any recent foreign travel, and any new tablets, supplements or remedies you have taken, as all of these help point to the cause. Do not start any new herbal or over-the-counter products, as some can further stress an already struggling liver.
Answers
Yellow skin or eyes: frequently asked questions
Is jaundice always a sign of a liver problem?
No. It can come from the liver, but also from too many red blood cells being broken down, or from a blockage to the flow of bile, such as a gallstone. Whatever the cause, new jaundice always needs to be checked.
What do pale stools and dark urine mean with jaundice?
Together they usually mean bile is not draining properly into the gut, so the pigment that normally colours the stool ends up in the urine instead. This pattern points to a blockage and should be assessed urgently.
Can jaundice be an emergency?
Yes. Jaundice with confusion, severe drowsiness, a high fever with shivering, or bleeding is a medical emergency. Painless jaundice with weight loss also needs urgent assessment to exclude a serious cause.
Why are my eyes yellow but I feel well?
Some causes of jaundice cause few other symptoms early on, which is exactly why painless yellowing should never be ignored. Feeling well does not rule out a serious cause, so it still needs prompt investigation.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Jaundice in adults.
- British Liver Trust: jaundice.
Related symptoms
Tell us what you need. We'll route it to the right expert.
Request a proposal, book a scoping call, or speak to our team directly.