6 Causes Of Pale Stool And How To Treat Them - Medical News Today

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What are the causes of pale stool?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on April 9, 2025

Causes
In children
During pregnancy
Diagnosis
Contacting a doctor
FAQ
Summary

Stool may be pale or white due to dietary choices, an infection, or an underlying medical problem such as gallbladder or liver disease. People with persistently pale stools may need medical treatment.

Some causes of pale stool, such as consuming certain foods, may not need medical treatment. However, it is best to contact a doctor about persistent pale stool with no obvious cause.

Contact a doctor as soon as possible if a child or infant has pale or white poop. The doctor will be able to confirm the diagnosis or rule out possible underlying causes.

Read on to learn more about the possible causes of pale stool and other symptoms that may occur with them.

What causes pale stool?

There are numerous possible causes of pale stool.

Foods

Some foods, such as fatty foods, may cause stool color to become pale.

Steatorrhea is the term for fatty stool, where a lot of fat causes bulky, pale stools.

Changing the diet may help poop to return to its usual color.

»Learn more:Why does my stool smell foul?

Giardiasis

Giardiasis, also known as beaver fever, is an infection that may turn the stool yellow or pale.

Other symptoms of giardiasis include:

headache
abdominal pain
vomiting
fever

Symptoms can result from an infection with Giardia lamblia, an intestinal parasite. A person can contract this parasite by drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with soil or stool that contains the parasite.

Symptoms start 1 to 2 weeks after infection and can take around 4 weeks to resolve, or longer in some cases. Prescription medication can reduce the time symptoms last.

Medications

Many drugs and medications can damage the liver, especially with high doses.

Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies can harm the liver.

Barium sulfate, a type of contrast used for certain X-ray tests, can also cause pale stools.

With OTC drugs, it is best to stop taking the drug and contact a doctor as soon as possible. For prescription drugs, people should speak with their doctor before stopping the treatment.

Gallbladder disease

The gallbladder holds bile and is located on the upper right side of the stomach, next to the liver. During digestion, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestines through the bile duct. Gallbladder disease can change the color of stool.

Gallstones, a common type of gallbladder disease, can block the bile duct. As well as pale stool, it can cause:

intense pain
nausea
vomiting
fever and chills
jaundice

Treatments for gallbladder problems depend on the cause. A doctor may have to remove gallstones, either surgically or with medication to dissolve them.

A person can live without a gallbladder, so a doctor may remove it if gallstones keep returning. The person may need to change their diet after surgery.

Liver problems

Problems with the liver or bile ducts can turn the stool pale or light colored.

There are two forms of bilirubin in the body. One type passes in the urine or feces and the other type binds to the protein albumin, which helps it stay in the blood vessels.

When a person has liver or biliary problems, bilirubin is unable to pass in the stool. This causes the stool to lose its color, giving it a more pale or clay-colored appearance.

Conversely, the body excretes excess bilirubin in the urine, giving it a darker or amber-colored appearance.

There are many types of liver disease, including:

infectious diseases, such as hepatitis A, B, and C
liver damage from alcohol consumption
fatty liver disease

In addition to pale stool, other symptoms of liver disease include:

nausea and vomiting
fatigue
very dark urine
fatty stool
itching
swelling in the ankles or legs

Anyone under a doctor’s care for liver disease should report any changes in stool color.

Treatment for liver disease depends on the cause and how far it has progressed.

For mild liver disease, a person may only need medication and lifestyle changes. Those with severe liver disease may need a liver transplant.

»Learn more: Your guide to the signs and symptoms of liver disease

Pancreatic problems

Conditions affecting the pancreas can make it hard for this organ to secrete pancreatic juices into the digestive system. This can lead to the food moving too quickly through the gut, resulting in a pale and fatty-looking stool.

Examples of problems with the pancreas include pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Both can involve jaundice, with the following symptoms:

pale and fatty stools
dark urine
yellowing of the whites of the eyes

Pancreatitis refers to swelling and inflammation of the pancreas.

It can result from various conditions, including:

infections
autoimmune pancreatitis
gallstones
high alcohol consumption
the use of some drugs

Chronic pancreatitis can also increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Treatment for pancreatitis depends on the cause. Some people need hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and pain management.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary.

Pale stool complications in children

Pale stools in children are not necessarily a medical emergency if they occur once and are pale but not white.

Breastfed babies often have light yellowish-brown stools. Once they start transitioning to solids, their stool usually becomes browner.

When the stool is white or very light brown, this can signal a more serious problem, such as cholestasis, a type of liver disease.

In newborns, cholestasis or any other problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas may be a medical emergency. A caregiver should call their pediatrician right away.

If the baby has other symptoms, turns yellow, or appears to be in pain, they must go straight to the emergency room.

»Learn more:Baby poop color: Causes and when to see a doctor

Pale stool during pregnancy

White or clay-colored stools during pregnancy usually indicate a problem with the gallbladder, liver, biliary ducts, or pancreas.

Some people develop a pregnancy-related liver disease called cholestasis of pregnancy.

Symptoms of cholestasis include pale stool as well as:

intense itchiness
dark itching
pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes, fingernail beds, or skin

It is not clear precisely what causes cholestasis, but pregnancy hormones might affect liver functioning.

Treatment can include medication and frequent monitoring, including blood work and ultrasound scans. In some cases, an early delivery might be necessary.

Diagnosing the cause of pale stool

To diagnose the cause of pale stool, a doctor may begin by asking questions and carrying out a physical examination.

They may ask questions such as:

When did you first notice this symptom?
Are your stools always pale?
What medications do you take?
Do you have any known health conditions?
Do you have any other symptoms?

Depending on what conditions the doctor suspects, they may then order various tests. The doctor can provide more information about what the tests involve.

When to contact a doctor

If pale stool is constant or frequent, it is best to seek a diagnosis as soon as possible, as leaving them can lead to lasting damage and complications.

Conditions of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas can quickly become life-threatening, but they are usually treatable.

Frequently asked questions

Is pale stool serious?

Without treatment, the conditions underlying pale stools can be serious or lead to severe complications. Anyone with persistently pale stools should seek medical advice.

What does stool look like with pancreatic cancer or pancreas problems?

Issues with the pancreas can make food move through the gut too quickly, causing pale, fatty-looking stools.

Summary

Pale or light colored stool can be due to fatty foods, giardiasis, gallbladder disease, liver or pancreas problems, and certain medications.

In some cases, pale stool may resolve with dietary changes or after stopping medication at a doctor’s advice. Other underlying conditions require long-term management.

Contact a doctor as soon as there are concerns about pale stool. The doctor may order tests to confirm the diagnosis and advise on a suitable treatment plan.

Read this article in Spanish.

GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Nutrition / Diet

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Azer SA, et al. (2023). Steatorrhea.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541055/
Barium X-ray. (2022).https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/tests-and-scans/barium-x-ray
Cholestasis. (n.d.).https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/cholestasis
Drug induced liver injury (DILI). (2023).https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/dili/
Dunn N, et al. (2024). Giardiasis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513239/
Gallstones. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones
Hoilat GJ, et al. (2023). Bilirubinuria.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557439/
Kim HS, et al. (2023). Incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis: defining the optimal subgroup for surveillance.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26411-8
Liver disease. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/liver-disease/
Mohy-ud-din N, et al. (2023). Pancreatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538337/
Pillarisetty LS, et al. (2023). Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551503/
Yellow alert. (2018).https://childliverdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CLDF-Yellow-Alert-Stool-Chart.pdf

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Zawn Villines — Updated on April 9, 2025

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