Jaundice is a condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. When the liver functions properly, it processes bilirubin and excretes it into the bile, which is then eliminated from the body through the digestive system. Jaundice can result from various conditions, including excessive breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic jaundice), liver damage or disease (hepatocellular jaundice), and blockages in the bile ducts (obstructive jaundice).