Jaundice is when your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can be a sign of serious liver disease, and it is important to get urgent medical help.

Jaundice is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a normal part of the pigment released in the used red blood cells, normally removed by the liver. There are many reasons this may occur such as: gallstones, alcoholics liver disease, pancreatitis, hepatitis or sickle cell disease.

Jaundice itself isn’t treated, but the underlying cause will be treated by a doctor.

Jaundice is common in babies; the condition is called infant jaundice.