What Is Purple Urine?
Purple-colored urine is a rare condition that sometimes occurs in catheterized individuals. It's commonly known as purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS). Although PUBS can occasionally result from bile acids passing into the urine, it's more commonly associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Some of the risk factors for purple urine include [1]:
- Older age
- Being female
- Dementia
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic kidney disease
The urine's purple color is due to the interaction of tryptophan (a substance in food), bacteria from a UTI, and the plastic of the catheter bag and tubing [2].
Is Purple Urine Dangerous?
In PUBS, the purple discoloration of urine is harmless, but any underlying infection should be treated with antibiotics [2]. UTI test strips can help determine if you have a urinary tract infection. In addition, your healthcare provider can order a urine culture to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection [3].
Along with treating any present infection, the catheter and urine collection bag should also be changed. Treatment is critical to prevent a worsening infection that could potentially result in sepsis [2].
At-Home Urine Testing
Experiencing purple urine can be both confusing and upsetting. While the condition requires treatment by a healthcare professional, it's important to keep in mind that the discoloration itself is benign, and the underlying cause is typically manageable [2].
Urine test strips can help identify if your urine discoloration is the result of an infection. Use Diagnox's UTI test or Urinox-10 test strips from the comfort of your home to determine whether a urinary tract infection is causing your purple urine. Urinalysis test strips from Diagnox are reliable and easy to use. Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider to ensure appropriate treatment.
