What should you know about small black stool poop?

Iron supplements, bismuth-containing medicines, and very dark foods can change stool colour without bleeding. Bleeding from the stomach or the first part of the small intestine may turn stool black as blood is digested. Such stool is often sticky, tarry, or unusually foul-smelling, although appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

Conditions such as [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/), [Helicobacter Pylori Infection](/conditions/helicobacter-pylori-infection/), and [Peptic Ulcer](/conditions/peptic-ulcer/) can irritate or damage the upper digestive lining. Tell a clinician about pain, nausea, dizziness, medicines, and recent foods.

Note the colour and texture, whether it happens again, and anything recently taken, including iron, bismuth, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory pain medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice. If the stool is truly tar-like or you are unsure whether it contains blood, contact a healthcare professional promptly for guidance and possible testing.

Seek emergency care for black tarry stool with fainting, severe weakness, confusion, shortness of breath, vomiting blood, cold clammy skin, or significant abdominal pain. Repeated black stools also need prompt assessment, even when the amount seems small, because digestive bleeding can worsen without much warning.

Ask whether your medicines or supplements could explain the colour, whether you need blood tests or stool testing, and whether symptoms suggest an ulcer, gastritis, or [Helicobacter Pylori Infection](/conditions/helicobacter-pylori-infection/). Share a photo only through a secure clinical service if requested.