why are my nails yellow? discover the reasons and remedies

Your nails do more than just protect the tips of your fingers and toes—they can also provide clues about your overall health. Yellow nails have various possible causes, including external factors like nail polish, acrylic nails, smoking, or fungal infections. Additionally, yellow nails can signal underlying health conditions such as thyroid disorders or rheumatoid arthritis.

What Causes Your Fingernails to Turn Yellow?

Yellow nails can be alarming, especially if you don’t know the cause. Temporary staining can occur from using dark nail polish or cooking with yellow-colored spices like turmeric. However, if your nails remain yellow for more than a few days or if new nail growth is also yellow, it might indicate a more serious issue.

Common causes of yellow nails include:

• Nail polish: Frequent use of dark nail polish, leaving polish on for extended periods, and wearing acrylic nails can stain nails yellow.
• Smoking: Nicotine and tar from cigarettes can cause a yellowish tint to nails.
• Fungal infections: These infections can cause nails to become yellow, thickened, and crumbly.
• Aging: As nail growth naturally slows down with age, changes in texture and color, including yellowing, can occur.
• Melanonychia: This condition leads to vertical brown or black stripes on the nails, with the edges potentially appearing yellowish. It can result from physical trauma, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, infections, and inflammatory disorders.
• Yellow nail syndrome: A rare condition characterized by yellow, thickened, curling nails, along with slow nail growth, lung issues, and swelling in the limbs.
• Medication side effects: Drugs like tetracyclines (for bacterial infections) and chemotherapy agents (for cancer) can cause yellowing of the nails.

Underlying Conditions

Several medical conditions can also lead to nail discoloration:

• Psoriasis: A chronic autoimmune skin condition causing inflamed skin patches.
• Diabetes: A condition where blood glucose levels are too high due to insufficient insulin.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder causing joint pain and inflammation.
• Thyroid disorder: Conditions affecting the thyroid gland, which regulates hormones.
• Lung disease: Conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis that affect the lungs.

How Are Yellow Nails Treated?

Treatment for yellow nails depends on the cause. While it may take time for nails to return to their natural color, both at-home remedies and professional treatments can help.

At-Home Remedies

For nails stained by polish or yellow spices, the following remedies may help:

• Hydrogen peroxide: A low-concentration (3% or lower) hydrogen peroxide solution can be used to wipe the nails with a soaked cotton ball, potentially reducing stains after several days.
• Baking soda soak: Soaking nails in a mixture of baking soda and warm water can help reduce stains and treat fungal infections.

If yellow nails are due to fungal infections or health conditions, a healthcare provider’s diagnosis and treatment are necessary. They may prescribe:

• Antifungal medications: Creams or ointments to clear fungal infections.
• Vitamin E: Oral supplements that promote healthy nail growth, especially for yellow nail syndrome. Sometimes combined with antifungal treatments.

Treating underlying conditions like psoriasis or hypothyroidism can improve nail health and appearance.

How To Prevent Yellow Nails

Proper nail hygiene and proactive habits can protect nail health and prevent discoloration:

• Practice proper nail hygiene: Keep nails clean and trimmed to prevent dirt and germs from accumulating, reducing infection risk.
• Use gloves: Protect nails from chemicals, cleaning agents, and gardening by wearing gloves.
• Limit nail polish use: Give nails breaks between polish applications. Apply a clear base coat before using dark polish to prevent staining.
• Keep hands and feet dry: Moisture can weaken nails and promote fungal growth.
• Clean nail equipment: Ensure clippers, files, and other tools are clean. Choose salons that use new or sterilized tools.
• Avoid smoking: Quit smoking to prevent yellow nails and improve overall health.
• Treat health conditions: Adhere to treatment plans for conditions linked to yellow nails to reduce nail problems.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

At-home remedies may effectively remove yellow stains from nails, but yellow nails can also indicate underlying health issues.

Consult a healthcare provider if:

• Your nails remain yellow after trying at-home remedies.
• You notice changes in nail shape, texture, or thickness.
• You develop additional symptoms like difficulty breathing or swelling in your limbs.

By understanding the causes and treatments for yellow nails, you can take preventative steps and seek appropriate care to maintain healthy nails

A Quick Review

Yellow nails can indicate various health issues ranging from nail polish stains and fungal infections to serious conditions like thyroid disorders and diabetes. Temporary stains can be treated at home with remedies like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda soaks. Persistent discoloration, however, might require professional medical advice.