Jaundice

Jaundice can occur if your bile duct becomes blocked. The bile duct drains bile from the liver and gall bladder into the bowel. You can also become jaundiced if there’s an infection in your liver.

Symptoms of jaundice include: 

• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes 
• Itchy skin 
• Dark-coloured urine 
• Pale bowel motions 
• Feeling tired

Dealing with Jaundice

If jaundice is caused by an infection, antibiotics may help. If it’s caused by a tumour, treatment to remove or shrink the cancer may be recommended. Your doctors may suggest putting in a stent – a small tube that holds the bile duct open. 

Itchy skin can often be the most troublesome symptom of jaundice. A number of medicines used to treat an itch caused by jaundice. 

If you have an urgent enquiry for our medical and nursing teams (which may be for help and advice) please phone 01892 820515. This phone number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.