What should you know about cloudy whitish urine?

Urine may look cloudy after you have not had enough fluid, particularly when it is darker or stronger-smelling than usual. Salts and other minerals can also make it appear hazy. Whitish urine may contain mucus, skin cells or inflammatory cells from the urinary tract.

A urinary tract infection can present with cloudy urine along with burning, a frequent urge to urinate, lower abdominal discomfort or a stronger smell. A kidney infection can present with urinary symptoms plus fever, chills or pain in the side or back. Cloudiness alone cannot identify the cause.

Notice whether the change clears after normal fluid intake and whether it occurs again. Do not force large amounts of water if you have been told to restrict fluids. Keep track of burning, urgency, pain, fever, blood, unusual discharge or a change in urine amount.

Arrange a clinical assessment if the cloudiness persists, keeps returning, or appears with urinary discomfort. A clinician may ask about medicines, hydration and other symptoms and may test a urine sample. Avoid taking leftover antibiotics, because treatment depends on the cause.

Seek urgent medical care for cloudy urine with fever, chills, vomiting, significant side or back pain, confusion, or feeling severely unwell. These features can occur with a kidney infection and should not be managed by waiting for the appearance to settle.

Prompt assessment is also sensible for visible blood, difficulty passing urine, severe pain, or cloudy urine during pregnancy. If symptoms are mild but do not improve or recur, contact a clinician for a urine check.

You could ask: What might be causing the change in appearance? Should I provide a urine sample? Which symptoms would mean I need same-day care? Could any medicine, supplement or fluid restriction be contributing?