Various conditions can cause foamy stool (poop), as well as gastrointestinal infections and your diet. Poop with foam is a stool that has a foamy, frothy, or bubbly appearance.

Occasional poop with foam generally clears up on its own. Having consistently foamy poop is usually a sign of too much fat or mucus in your stool.

Causes of Poop With Foam

Foamy poop can be the result of a number of underlying causes, from eating a particular food to having an underlying condition.

Malabsorption

A main cause of frequent poop with foam is malabsorption, which affects how your body breaks down nutrients. Foamy stools can develop when you consume more fat than your body can digest.

Several conditions cause malabsorption, including:

  • Celiac disease: This autoimmune disorder triggers a reaction when you eat gluten. It damages the small intestine, so people cannot fully absorb nutrients.

  • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can result from gallstones, high triglyceride levels, and alcohol use. The pancreas does not produce enough enzymes, which causes malabsorption.

  • Short bowel syndrome: This condition occurs when part of your small intestine is missing or removed. It makes nutrient absorption difficult.

Other symptoms that can develop with a malabsorption issue include:

  • Appetite changes

  • Bloating

  • Gas

  • Greasy, foul-smelling poop

  • Unintended weight loss

Other Health Conditions

Small amounts of mucus in your stool are relatively normal. Mucus helps your body pass a bowel movement.

Having too much mucus that looks like (or appears alongside) foam can happen with certain conditions, such as:

  • Cystic fibrosis: This genetic disorder causes thick mucus in the body, including the digestive system.

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This common digestive disorder affects bowel movement speed and gut-brain signals. It commonly causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.

Infections

Gastrointestinal infections can also trigger poop or diarrhea with foam. This can result from gassy bubbles in the digestive tract passing along with stool. The immune system may also produce excess mucus in response to the infection.

Common infections include:

  • Gastroenteritis: This is commonly known as the stomach flu. A viral or bacterial infection typically causes this after you ingest contaminated or undercooked food.

  • Giardiasis: This parasitic infection develops if you consume contaminated food, swim in contaminated water, or are exposed to infected poop.

Infections generally also present with symptoms like fever, nausea or vomiting, and stomach cramps.

Diet

Eating foods that are fatty or greasy can lead to excess fat in your stool, known as steatorrhea. You may also notice stools that are:

  • Bulky

  • Floating

  • Foul-smelling

  • Pale or clay-colored

Consuming foods you are sensitive or allergic to may trigger more mucus in your stool, which gives it a frothy or foamy appearance. People with IBS may be more likely to experience foamy poop.

Other dietary changes to consider making include:

  • Drink plenty of water

  • Eat and drink more slowly

  • Eliminate chewing gum

  • Stop sucking on hard candies

  • Avoid sugar-free candies and food that have mannitol or sorbitol as sweeteners

  • Consider a low FODMAP diet

  • Make sure dentures fit correctly

What Does Foamy Poop Look Like?

Poop with foam has a frothy or bubbly, which is different than the solid brown poop that is considered to be a healthy stool. Your stool may appear softer or even look oily. It may have light-colored foam or mucus on top, or the entire bowel movement may be foamy.

Foamy poop can vary in consistency, intensity, and duration. It is possible to have poop with foam for a few days in a row, or it could occur frequently.

Depending on the cause, foamy poop may also present with symptoms like bloating, bulkier stools, or diarrhea.

When To Seek Care

Check with a healthcare provider if you notice any differences in the appearance of your stools or in your bowel habits.

Seek medical attention if foamy poop lasts longer than a few days or is accompanied by symptoms like:

  • A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius) or higher

  • Bloody stool

  • More than six loose stools in 24 hours

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Vomiting

You may be asked to describe the appearance of your poop with foam—including its color, size, and consistency. A healthcare provider might ask about any other symptoms and your health history. They may also order blood, urine, stool, or imaging tests to make a diagnosis.

Treatment for Foamy Poop

Specific treatments can vary based on the cause of foamy poop and may include:

  • Dietary changes: A gluten-free diet is necessary to manage celiac disease. Avoiding dietary triggers like fatty or spicy foods may be helpful.

  • Medications: An underlying condition could require medications to control digestive symptoms. Antibiotics or antiparasitics are often necessary for an infection.

  • Supplements: Oral or injectable supplementation of vitamins and minerals can manage malabsorption.

How To Prevent Poop With Foam

There are a few tips that can help you maintain regular bowel movements and prevent foamy poop, such as:

  • Avoid infections by washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces often

  • Eat plenty of fiber

  • Incorporate stress-reduction techniques daily

  • Limit foods that may trigger digestive symptoms, like dairy products or spicy foods

  • Stay hydrated

Complications

Malabsorption may cause complications if your body is unable to get enough nutrients. Complications include:

  • Anemia: Low levels of red blood cells

  • Gallstones: Hard masses that develop abnormally in the gallbladder

  • Kidney stones: Hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys

  • Nutrient deficiencies: Low levels of certain vitamins and minerals in the body

  • Osteoporosis: Characterized by brittle and weak bones

  • Weak immune system: Makes it harder to fight off infections

Taking certain drugs like antibiotics and laxatives for a long period or having intestinal surgery may cause long-term malabsorption.

A Quick Review

Poop with a foamy or frothy appearance may occur due to excess fat or mucus. Something you ate, infections, or conditions like celiac disease, pancreatitis, or IBS can also cause foamy poop.

See a healthcare provider if it happens frequently or with other symptoms. Treatment for the underlying condition can help resolve foamy poop.