Why does my poop smell like burnt hair?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

A burnt hair smell in your stool is often caused by shifts in gut bacteria that produce sulfur-containing compounds, resulting in an unusually strong odor. Diet, medications, infections, or malabsorption issues can all disrupt your microbiome and lead to these distinct smells.

While occasional odor changes are usually harmless, persistent or severe smells can signal an underlying digestive issue worth investigating. The fastest way to understand what's driving your symptoms—and what to do next—is to take a free, instant online symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll get personalized insights based on your specific symptoms, helping you decide whether home care, dietary changes, or a doctor's visit is the right next step.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Your gut is full of tiny bacteria that help break down the food you eat. Sometimes, these bacteria make different smelly chemicals when they process your food.

Changes in your diet, drinking alcohol, or underlying inflammation can affect these bacteria. When the bacteria change, they may produce compounds from sulfur or other parts of food that smell a bit like burnt hair.

If you notice this smell often or if you have additional symptoms like stomach pain, changes in your bowel habits, or feel generally unwell, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your symptoms and determine if you should see a healthcare provider.

(References)

Engen PA, Green SJ, Voigt RM, Forsyth CB, Keshavarzian A. The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Alcohol Effects on the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota. Alcohol Res. 2015;37(2):223-36. PMID: 26695747; PMCID: PMC4590619.
Bosch S, Wintjens DSJ, Wicaksono A, Pierik M, Covington JA, de Meij TGJ, de Boer NKH. Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Course Based on Fecal Scent. Sensors (Basel). 2022 Mar 17;22(6):2316. doi: 10.3390/s22062316. PMID: 35336485; PMCID: PMC8948784.
Wolf, P.G., Cowley, E.S., Breister, A. _et al._ Diversity and distribution of sulfur metabolic genes in the human gut microbiome and their association with colorectal cancer._Microbiome_ 10, 64 (2022). doi: 10.1186/s40168-022-01242-x

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