Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrom FoodGI IssuesMedical CausesWhen to Seek TreatmentTesting
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
From Food
GI Issues
Medical Causes
When to Seek Treatment
Testing
Findingblack specks in your stoolcan cause concern, but, in most cases, black specks in the stool are simply harmless, small remnants of undigested dark blue or black foods. Often, these specks are pieces of food that remain intact through the digestive process.
However, constantly seeing black specks in your stool orblack and tarry stoolmay be signs ofbleeding in your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These problems need prompt treatment to avoid severe outcomes.
This article describes how food, GI problems, and medical conditions can cause black specks in the stool. It also explains when to contact a healthcare provider and the tests used to diagnose this problem.
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Important Warning
This warrants prompt evaluation as this will likely require anendoscopy, a medical procedure using a thin tube with a light and camera attached.
When Black Specks in Stool Are From Food
It is not uncommon to see black specks in your stool as a result of eating certain foods. The specks are usually remnants of indigestiblefiber, like vegetables and fruits, that pass through your intestines and into your stool. In some cases, the black specks can arise from eating habits such as inadequate chewing and rapid eating.
Common sources of foods causing black specks in the stool are:
The Meaning of Poop Colors, Shapes, Sizes, and Consistency
When Black Specks in Stool Could Be GI-Related
Bleeding from higher in your GI tract can change from red to black as blood reacts with stomach acids on its way through your digestive system. The effect produces black or tarry stools with a foul smell, often with a texture similar to coffee grounds. In contrast, bleeding that originates in the lower portion of your digestive tract is usually bright red.
Common upper GI causes of melena include the following conditions:
IBS Poop Color
Medical Causes of Black Stool
Medical causes of black stool can occur with the following conditions that can trigger internal bleeding in your upper GI tract:
Black Stools in a Diaper
When to Seek Treatment for Black Speckled Stool
You should seek treatment for black-speckled stool if the condition persists and you haven’t consumed any known foods or medications that could be causing it. Contact your healthcare provider if any of the following symptoms accompany black-speckled stool:
Your healthcare provider will advise you on the appropriate treatment based on the cause of black specks in your stool. In most cases, treatment is not necessary.
If black specks in your stool are unrelated to a medical problem, you may be able to correct the problem with one of the following strategies:
If gastrointestinal bleeding is the cause of black specks in your stool, your healthcare provider may advise one of the following treatments:
Why Do I Have Blood in My Stool?
Testing to Diagnose GI Conditions
After considering your medical history, symptoms, and a physical examination, your healthcare provider may use one or more tests to diagnose a GI condition. Some of the most common GI tests are:
List of Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
A Word From Verywell
—KUMKUM S. PATEL, MD, MPH, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
Black specks in your stool are usually not a cause for concern. In most cases, the black specks are pieces of food that were not processed as they moved through your digestive tract.
In some cases, black specks in your stool are a sign of bleeding in your upper GI tract. There are many reasons for this, ranging from ulcers to cancer. These conditions can become severe if they remain in place without treatment.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have black specks in your stool that persist despite changing the content and way you eat. Getting a prompt diagnosis and treatment of GI conditions can lead to better outcomes.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Beacon Health System.Undigested food in stool: what does it mean?
MedlinePlus.Black or tarry stools.
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials.How your diet can affect your poop color.
Mount Sinai.Bloody or tarry stools.
UpToDate.Patient education: blood in the stool (rectal bleeding) in adults (Beyond the Basics).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Hookworm (intestinal).
KHealth.Why your poop is black and what to do about it.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).Treatment for GI Bleeding.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Digestive diagnostic procedures.
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