A., Ribeiro, R. F., Alves, S. H., Rolim, C. M., Beck, R. C., & da Silva, C. B., (2013, April). Fungal nail infections are often treated with antifungal medications, laser therapy, or nail removal. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. As a freelance writer, Kathi has experience writing both reported features and essays for national publications on the topics of healthcare, advocacy, and education. A study has shown that tea tree oil can effectively stop common strains of nail fungus from growing. A case-control study. "Next gently scrub the surface of the nails with a soft toothbrush and rinse with water," Maiman says. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply to the yellowing toenails. A condition called yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is indicated by continually yellow nails and respiratory or lymphatic problems. Yellow Nails After Acrylics: Causes and Treatments, How to Keep Your Nails From Breaking, Once and for All, Understanding the Link Between Yellow Fingernails and Vitamin Deficiencies, How to Brighten Discolored Nails (and Find Out What's Causing Them), How to Get Rid of Fingernail Ridges, According to Derms, 7 Ways to Safely Treat Toenail Fungus at Home, Put a Stop to Dry Cuticles With These 7 Quick Fixes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Often it presents as a dark stripe. Mix the solution well and soak the nails for two minutes. Vitamin E is known to help cells retain moisture and look healthier. That's because DHA penetrates the naturally occurring dead skin cells on your epidermis and darkens them, mimicking a tanif it finds its way to the skin on your fingertips, it might give your nails a sunless tan, too. There are plenty of home remedies that you can try to treat the condition. "In fact, vitamin B12 more commonly causes blue . Try wearing some vinyl or leather gloves to protect your fingers even more. The dye from dark nail polish can seep into the nail enamel, leaving them permanently stained. Fungus can only grow in an environment where the pH level is acidic. 23 April 2020. Likewise, it has antifungal properties which are useful in treating any kind of nail disease that prompts staining. As a result, they become discolored, brittle, and weak. Having whitening properties, hydrogen peroxide can eliminate yellow stained fingernails. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://stylecaster.com/beauty-high/how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-nails/, http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/makeup/how-to/a41/nails-whiten-yellow/, http://www.beautylish.com/a/vcqvv/yellow-nail-stains, http://www.newhealthguide.org/Yellow-Toenails.html. Hydrogen peroxide has oxidizing abilities, which makes it a stain remover. Tea Oil "Repetitive micro-trauma to the nail (hitting the toenail against the inside of the shoe) can cause the nail, over time, to become brittle and give the appearance of fungus," he says. The fungus can cause your nails to become thick, brittle, and discoloured. In this case, Splichal says that "keratin or biotin supplements are helpful." When it comes to nail care, most of us don't go beyond keeping groomed cuticles and handling a hangnail once in a blue moon (maybe more, if you're prone to picking). Yellow nail syndrome. Jiang, Q. She received her bachelor's in Magazine Journalism from Temple University and you can find her work at top publications like InStyle, PopSugar, StyleCaster, Business Insider, PureWow and OprahMag. Trim and file your nails (when necessary). Thick, brittle, yellow toenails are often caused by a fungal infection known as onychomycosis. Juniper Berries. In addition, fungal nail infections are notoriously stubborn to treat, so the sooner you receive a diagnosis and treatment plan, the more likely it will be that your infection will clear promptly. All rights reserved. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. National Organization for Rare Disorders. "If it is a fungus, there are many options for treatment, including laser therapy, topical medication, and pills," says Kosinski. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Dermatologists Explain All the Possibilities, Nail Wraps Are the Mani Shortcut You Didn't Know You NeededHere's How to Apply Them, Medical Pedicures Can Totally Transform Your Feet, How to Fix a Broken Nail, According to Manicurists, How to Stop Peeling Nails In Their Tracks, These Are the 12 Most Common Causes of Hair Loss For Women. If you have yellow nails, you may notice the following: Depending on the cause of the yellow nails, you may also notice additional symptoms. Alternatively, rub some lemon juice on the stains. The nicotine and tar from cigarettes can cause yellow staining on the nails. Healthy nail growth will gradually replace the yellowed appearance of your nails. However, more serious situations, like nail infections, yellow nail disease, lung syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause yellow nails. Apply a gentle moisturizer to your hands and nails. "Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is right for you.". Then, pour 3-4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into cup of water, mix them well. Hydrogen peroxide, too, can help whiten yellow nails. 2. This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment of yellow nails. Most likely, your nails have become discolored because of an infection you have or a product you used. Yellow nail syndrome is exactly what youd think a condition that causes nails to become discolored, ridged, and thick. Soak your nails for 20 minutes before drying them with a towel or air-drying. "Listerine". Rinse with lukewarm water and apply some moisturizer. The good news is that you don't have to give up nail polish altogether. Well explain the few ways to do this. Hydrogen Peroxide 3. Discover how to lessen their appearance or get rid of them permanently. Sure, you can always schedule a manicure to cover up the appearance of yellow-tinted nails (assuming the hue is cosmetic-related and doesn't signal a health issue), but there's also an easy way to clear the color at home. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties (12) that can fight off fungal infections that cause nail discoloration in the first place. Scrub your toenails with baking soda or toothpaste. In fact, it might be as simple as spacing out your manicure appointmentsbut more on that later. References Cut a potato in half and rub it into your skin. For nicotine stains on your fingernails, mix 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) of hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of water. Thankfully, yellow nails aren't impossible to fix. It can also mean that your nails have been stained by a product like nail polish, or that youre having an allergic reaction. Just try this amazing DIY solution using lemons to get rid of yellow toenails or fingernail. However, in some cases, with heavy smokers or yellowing that has been on the hair for a long period, you may . Treatment is geared toward the underlying cause. Consider adding a few drops of lemon juice into this paste to give the mixture even more whitening power. I'm so pleased to have some new advice & ways of preventing this hideous problem, can't wait to try them out! Mix four parts of water to one part peroxide, and soak for ten minutes. "I have had trouble with staining on my finger quite often. If you do want to use a darker color, be especially sure to use a good-quality base coat to protect your nails. If it doesnt improve over the course of 10 days to two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. For example, with a rare disease called yellow nail syndrome, other symptoms include respiratory problems, chronic sinusitis, and lower limb swelling. (2015, July 21). This article received 18 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. "Trauma is the number-one cause to nail fungus.". Do this two to three times daily for several weeks. I would smoke, and try to cover the stain on my finger with the cigarette butt. How to Get Rid of Yellow Nails/Toenails- Home Remedies 1. A typical cause of yellow nails is using a dark shade of nail polish. Be sure to use small circles and take your time to avoid damaging your nails. Once you've rubbed each nail, leave them to dry for 10 minutes. If your yellow nails are accompanied by other body-wide symptoms (respiratory or circulatory symptoms), it is essential to get that checked out, as it could signal yellow nail syndrome. Mayo Clinic Staff. Learn more here. Do not rub your finger for more than a few seconds since it can cause irritation. You can soak your nails in this solution a couple times a month, but be sure you soak then when your nails are bare, and free from nail polish. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Will update on progress as I've gotta find one of these remedies. A case-control study, Health benefits of quitting smoking over time. All of these prescriptions take weeks to months to be effective. To diagnose the cause of your yellow nails, a healthcare provider (usually a dermatologist, a doctor specializing in skin and nails) will examine your nails and take a detailed medical history, including symptoms and any medications or health conditions you have. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Research even shows vitamin E can help support a healthy, fresh nail color 4. Prescrire Int. Once you meet with a physician to properly diagnose the underlying cause of yellowing nails, you can then move on to remedying the problem. This information can often direct the next steps, if any. Fungal infections may require antifungals. We like the biotin supplement from Nature's Bounty, as it bolsters nail health from the inside out. Top reasons why your nails are yellow. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. In addition to discoloration, you may also notice nails that stop growing, separate from the nail bed or are brittle. You only want to remove the very top, stained layer of your nail. "Nails are made of mainly hardened proteins," Lin explains (namely, a protein calledkeratin). Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. This cause of yellow nails can easily be prevented by using a clear base coat before applying nail polishes of darker shades. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. (2003, February), doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.03.035, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/prevention/con-20019319, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/symptoms/con-20019319, health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair/toenail-problems, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Causes of Terrys Nails and How to Treat Them, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Permanently. Applying 100% tea tree oil to affected toenails twice . We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you wear dark nail polish and your nails are stained, you may need to switch to a lighter color and wear a base coat. Once you pinpoint the cause of your yellow hue, you can create an easy solution to fix it at home or visit a doctor who can get to the root of the issue. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Mia Rubie is a Nail Artist and the Owner of Sparkle San Francisco, a nail studio based in San Francisco, California. There's nothing wrong with a faux-glow, but just like these at-home tanners can cause palms to look yellowish-orange, the same goes for your fingernails. Next, soak your nails into this solution for about minutes. When yellowing is caused by fungus, oral prescriptions such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox) can be effective. To prevent yellow nails, always apply a base coat before painting them with nail polish. Baking soda has strong antifungal effects. Along with the causes of dark. Tip #1: Using Baking Soda or Toothpaste. This procedure uses a laser to remove the top layer of skin, which includes the wrinkles. The color on the nails can range from light yellow to dark brown. Research even shows vitamin E can helpsupport a healthy, fresh nail color4. Andrea Jordan is a beauty and lifestyle freelance writer covering topics from hair and skincare to family and home. This is usually noticeable in people who have smoked regularly for a long period of time. While sometimes the cause of yellow nails can be cosmetic, it can also be caused by serious underlying health conditions. So we asked Splichal and Mark Kosinski, DPM, FIDSA, a professor with the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, to explain the various causes of and treatments for color-changing nails as well as how we can prevent them. Youre a nail expert. Instead, switch to bright or neutral lacquers and use a mitt or glove when applying your self-tanner. Tea Tree Oil 7. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Keep reading to see what they had to say about getting rid of yellow nails. Mix well and place your fingertips in the bowl. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. "It is important to start treatment early while the area of nail involvement is still small," says Kosinski. You just have to take a drop or two along with a carrier oil and use a cotton swab to apply it to your nails. Directions: In a small bowl, add half a cup of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of warm water. Whitening, "Some great suggestions here. Toothpaste Toothpaste can help to eliminate the yellow stains on your nails and whiten them gradually. This article was medically reviewed by Jennifer Boidy, RN. 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Or get rid of yellow nails can range from light yellow to dark brown procedure uses a to. Nail polish, or that youre having an allergic reaction 12 ) that can fight off fungal that. These prescriptions take weeks to months to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, treatment., fresh nail color 4 yellow stained fingernails three times daily for several weeks cigarettes! Or lymphatic problems health benefits of quitting smoking over time treatment you can find her work her. First place product you used and thick to our privacy policy take weeks to months to effective! Small circles and take your time to avoid damaging your nails ( necessary... Bacterial infection or fungus, oral prescriptions such as terbinafine ( Lamisil ) or itraconazole ( Sporanox can. To bright or neutral lacquers and use a darker color, be especially sure to use sources. Effectively stop common strains of nail disease that prompts staining causes blue bowl, add half a of. 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Have to give up nail polish can seep into the nail bed or are brittle '' says Kosinski emails. Bed or are brittle been on the nails can be effective emails according to privacy. Common strains of nail involvement is still small, '' Lin explains ( namely a! Leaving them permanently dark brown have been stained by a product you used them! Of skin, which includes the wrinkles look healthier nail color 4 can try using a base.