Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesParasites vs. IBSTestingTreatmentTracking PatternsWho’s Most at Risk?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Parasites vs. IBS
Testing
Treatment
Tracking Patterns
Who’s Most at Risk?
Stoolscan come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. When there are white specks in the stool it is often fromundigested food. It can also be an undigested pill or an intestinal parasite.
This article will discuss all the causes and their details. It will also cover treatment options for finding white specks in stool.
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Causes of White Specks in Poop
There are a few causes of white specks in poop. Below covers those causes and provides details.
Food
Undigested pieces of food can appear as white specks in stool. It might be from undigested seeds, vegetables, or nuts. The hard outer shell ofseedsand nuts can be hard to break down and move through the digestive system as a whole.
Seeds, vegetables, and nuts areinsoluble fiber. The intestines have a hard time digesting the insoluble fiber that helps promote bulk to the stools.
Parasites
Tapewormsandpinwormscan be found as small white specks in stool. The worms, pieces of the worms, or their eggs can look like tiny bits or threads. They may cause itching around the anus, especially at night. Other symptoms associated with parasites are diarrhea, stomach pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Medications
Undigested pillsand medications can move through the digestive system and appear in the stool as small, white specks. When this happens, the medication has been digested but the outer casing or shell of the medicine was not digested. This happens more often with extended-releasemedicationsthat are formulated to deliver the medication slowly.
White Specks in Stool From Parasites vs. IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)is a condition that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and stool changes. People withIBS can have mucusin their stool that looks white.The white specks from a parasite will be very small and will not appear with food changes.
Another concern some people have is fat in the stool. This is known assteatorrhea. Steatorrhea does not present with white specks in the stool. The stool is lighter colored, pale brown or yellow, and greasy looking. People who have steatorrhea are not absorbing fat properly and may have a malabsorption condition.
Testing to Rule Out Parasites
If you suspect you have intestinal parasites, you should contact a healthcare provider for testing. The provider will ask a series of questions that can include:
A fecal test is used to identify certain parasites. The stool sample needs to be obtained when someone is not taking antibiotics or on an antidiarrheal medication. There may need to be more than one stool sample taken.
Another diagnostic method for detectingpinwormsis applying tape to the anus and then looking at the tape under a microscope for parasite eggs.
Untreated Parasite SymptomsIf an intestinal parasite infection goes untreated it can lead to several unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms include:DiarrheaNauseaand vomitingItching or rash around the anusWeight lossFatigueStomach pain
Untreated Parasite Symptoms
If an intestinal parasite infection goes untreated it can lead to several unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms include:DiarrheaNauseaand vomitingItching or rash around the anusWeight lossFatigueStomach pain
If an intestinal parasite infection goes untreated it can lead to several unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms include:
With a Negative Test
If aparasitetest comes back negative it could be that there is no intestinal parasite present, or it could be a false negative, meaning the condition is present but the test did not detect it.
Not having a diagnosiscan be difficult, so it’s important to continue looking for answers. Ask the healthcare provider if it would be beneficial to redo the test or if there are other tests available.
GI-MAP TestingA comprehensive testing tool for stool called GI-MAP can detect bacteria, such asHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), intestinal parasites, and fungi.There is limited research on this test, but one study from 2020 reported that GI-MAP testing sensitivity was 80% but had a specificity of only 26% due to false-positive results.
GI-MAP Testing
A comprehensive testing tool for stool called GI-MAP can detect bacteria, such asHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), intestinal parasites, and fungi.There is limited research on this test, but one study from 2020 reported that GI-MAP testing sensitivity was 80% but had a specificity of only 26% due to false-positive results.
How to Get Rid of White Poop Specks
When the white specks are from medications, treatment is not necessary. However, if you notice white specks and suspect your medication is not digesting properly, bring this to your prescribing provider’s attention.
Keeping Track of Food and Pooping Patterns
Changes in bowel movements can be difficult to track. Keeping a diary of bowel movements can help you and your healthcare provider find trends to determine a cause.
To keep a stool diary, use theBristol Stool Chartto assess each bowel movement. Other information to keep in the diary include:
Who Is Most Likely to See White Specks in Poop?
White specks in poop can be a normal finding when it is undigested seeds, nuts, or some medications. However, it can be a sign of a parasite infection.
To avoid a parasite infection make sure to:
Summary
White specks in stool are usually from undigested seeds or nuts. They also could be from an undigested pill casing or from an intestinal parasite. It’s important to contact a healthcare provider if you are unsure of the cause. They will likely request a stool sample for testing to help determine the cause. Treatment will vary based on the cause but could include an oral medication.
10 SourcesVerywell 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.NHS.Worms in humans. November 2023.Harvard School of Public Health.Fiber. April 2022.Mir F, Achakzai I, Ibdah JA, Tahan V.Undigested pills in stool mimicking parasitic infection.Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine. 2017;2017:1-2. doi:10.1155/2017/3718954Mount Sinai.Irritable bowel syndrome.University of Rochester Medical Center.Fecal fat.Mount Sinai.Intestinal parasites.Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.GI-MAP.Gingras BA, Maggiore JA.Performance of a new molecular assay for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens.Access Microbiology. 2020;2(10). doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000160Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm. May 2024.National Institute of Health.Stool diary.
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.NHS.Worms in humans. November 2023.Harvard School of Public Health.Fiber. April 2022.Mir F, Achakzai I, Ibdah JA, Tahan V.Undigested pills in stool mimicking parasitic infection.Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine. 2017;2017:1-2. doi:10.1155/2017/3718954Mount Sinai.Irritable bowel syndrome.University of Rochester Medical Center.Fecal fat.Mount Sinai.Intestinal parasites.Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.GI-MAP.Gingras BA, Maggiore JA.Performance of a new molecular assay for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens.Access Microbiology. 2020;2(10). doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000160Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm. May 2024.National Institute of Health.Stool diary.
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.
NHS.Worms in humans. November 2023.Harvard School of Public Health.Fiber. April 2022.Mir F, Achakzai I, Ibdah JA, Tahan V.Undigested pills in stool mimicking parasitic infection.Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine. 2017;2017:1-2. doi:10.1155/2017/3718954Mount Sinai.Irritable bowel syndrome.University of Rochester Medical Center.Fecal fat.Mount Sinai.Intestinal parasites.Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.GI-MAP.Gingras BA, Maggiore JA.Performance of a new molecular assay for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens.Access Microbiology. 2020;2(10). doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000160Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm. May 2024.National Institute of Health.Stool diary.
NHS.Worms in humans. November 2023.
Harvard School of Public Health.Fiber. April 2022.
Mir F, Achakzai I, Ibdah JA, Tahan V.Undigested pills in stool mimicking parasitic infection.Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine. 2017;2017:1-2. doi:10.1155/2017/3718954
Mount Sinai.Irritable bowel syndrome.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Fecal fat.
Mount Sinai.Intestinal parasites.
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory.GI-MAP.
Gingras BA, Maggiore JA.Performance of a new molecular assay for the detection of gastrointestinal pathogens.Access Microbiology. 2020;2(10). doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000160
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm. May 2024.
National Institute of Health.Stool diary.
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