What Causes Yellow Nails and How Do You Deal With It

In most cases, yellow nails aren’t a cause for alarm. With a little bit of time and patience, they typically start growing in a healthy shade sooner rather than later. However, yellow nails may signify more serious health issues in some rare situations. So what are the most common yellow fingernails causes? And what is yellow nail syndrome? Read on to learn more about yellow nail causes and treatments.

What causes yellow nails?

As you may know, healthy nails grow in a clear color. Of course, if you dye your hair without wearing gloves or use harsh chemicals to clean but fail to wear protection, there is a strong chance that your nails will change color. Those situations usually aren’t a cause for concern. However, there may be a problem if your new nail grows in a yellowish shade. Multiple things can cause yellow nails, such as various deficiencies, thyroid conditions, psoriasis, diabetes, or skin cancer. And there’s also a condition called yellow nail syndrome, which results in a changed nail color.

Remember, don’t diagnose yourself. Instead, always seek a doctor’s opinion.

Yellow nail syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome is actually a pretty rare condition. It’s characterized by yellow toenails and fingernails. However, in the case of this disease, there are also other symptoms. They include swelling of the legs and even respiratory breathing problems. The precise causes are yet to be determined. But what has been discovered is that there may be genetic reasons behind this sickness. Although this disease primarily affects older adults, there have been cases when yellow nail syndrome developed earlier.

Why are my toenails yellow?

Bacterial or fungal infections are among the most common reasons for yellowing toenails. Wearing tight shoes, sweating excessively, and not allowing your feet to breathe may lead to the development of such infections and, in effect, cause your toenails to turn yellow. Moreover, yellowing toenails have been associated with athlete’s feet, in addition to cases where your toenails underwent physical trauma.

Bacterial nail infection

Although a bacterial nail infection is more often seen on toenails, as opposed to fingernails, bacterial fingernail infections still do happen. This infection can be caused by various factors, such as manicure tools that haven’t been adequately sterilized. Bacteria can get under the skin around your nail and lead to inflammation. That is why it is imperative to choose nail salons with good reviews, where you know they only use entirely new or sterilized tools.

Liver disease–nails

Certain liver diseases lead to the yellowing of the sclera, which is the white of the eye, skin, and nails. Moreover, taking large amounts of certain medications that strongly affect your liver can also be a cause.

Yellow fingernails–vitamin deficiency

Whether vitamin deficiencies cause yellow fingernails remains a bit of a controversy. However, more scientists are openly saying this rarely ever happens. Although improper vitamin levels can lead to various health issues, yellowing fingernails are seldom the case.

Diabetes–yellow toenails

People who have diabetes tend to struggle with various skin and circulatory issues. This is especially common on the legs and toes. Dried-out skin and ischemic toes can lead to discoloration and brittleness of the toenails. In effect, this can make your toenails more vulnerable and more susceptible to fungal infections. That is why if you struggle with diabetes, regularly check the condition of your legs and feet. If discolo

Nail cancer

A relatively rare condition called subungual melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops under the nails. Although skin melanoma typically results from overexposure to the sun and UV radiation, subungual melanoma is usually caused by injuries or trauma. In the case of subungual melanoma, identifying it may prove challenging, as it is often confused with regular nail bruising. That is why if you notice any irregular changes or growths on your nails, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Remember that it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

How to get rid of yellow nails?

If your nails have turned yellow due to staining from nail polish, there are a few home remedies you can try out. They include soaking your nails in lemon juice or scrubbing them with whitening toothpaste. However, it is also possible that the discoloration is only on the top layer of your nail bed. In such a case, buffing your nails a bit more than usual can do the trick.

How to treat yellow nails?

Yellow toenail treatment for fungal or bacterial infections is a multi-step process. First, try to eliminate the causes behind the infection, that is, moisture and ill-fitting shoes. Opt for antifungal medication in the form of pills or a topical cream. If you notice that your new nails have been growing in a yellowish shade for some time now, don’t hesitate to visit a specialist. They can determine the cause and prescribe a treatment tailored to your needs.