Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. If your nails are discolored because of a bacterial infection or fungus, tea tree oil is any easy treatment you can try. It's available by prescription only, though, so seeing a medical professional is necessary. Alternatively, apply whitening toothpaste to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub your toenails with baking soda or toothpaste. If you develop new darkly colored streaks in the nail, you should see your doctor right away. You may want to request ciclopirox (Penlac Nail Lacquer) as an alternative prescription treatment. Drug-induced nail disorders. You know all the different manicure shapes, youre familiar with the longest-lasting polish formulas, and you even frequent the best nail salons. Toothpaste 6. Your skin, hair, and nails all take on an appearance of vitality when you have plenty of vitamin E. Vitamin E has also been clinically studied as a successful treatment for yellow nail syndrome. Along with the causes of dark. The best way to get rid of yellowing nails is to diagnose and treat the problem before it's spiraled out of control. In other words, don't keep your nails lacquered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If this isnt enough to get rid of the stains, then you can also soak your fingers in the solution for five minute intervals five times a day. Experts ExplainAnd Tell Us How to Stop, Why Does My Body Itch? If your nails are discolored because of a bacterial infection or fungus, tea tree oil is any easy treatment you can try. Anyone can get nail fungus, but it is more common if you have a foot or nail injury, diabetes, a weakened immune system, poor circulation, or a fungal infection elsewhere on the body. Yes, smoking often leads to tobacco-stained fingers and nails. Support wikiHow by White vinegar is one of the most effective products for whitening and cleaning nails. This article was medically reviewed by Jennifer Boidy, RN. In severe cases, the infection can even lead to nail loss. Hydrogen Peroxide. 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. 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. Discover how to lessen their appearance or get rid of them permanently. Let's discuss the possible reasons for yellow nails in depth. Apply lemon to your nails Lemon is a natural bleaching agent, which can therefore help whiten the nails. Furthermore, lemon juice also provides the work of an astringent. A., Ribeiro, R. F., Alves, S. H., Rolim, C. M., Beck, R. C., & da Silva, C. B., (2013, April). Read our. The best way to get rid of yellowing nails is to diagnose and treat the problem before it's spiraled out of control. Fungus can only grow in an environment where the pH level is acidic. Applying lotion after you smoke is not a bad idea either. 2013;3(11):e003304. "If it is a fungus, there are many options for treatment, including laser therapy, topical medication, and pills," says Kosinski. Last Updated: October 25, 2022 The Best 8 Home Remedies for Cysts: Do They Work? Specifically, if the active ingredient in self-tanners called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) gets on your fingers as you apply, it can give your nails a dark yellow hue, Maiman says. In rare situations, yellow nails can indicate the presence of skin cancer. If you dont already have a doctor, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area. Fungal infections may require antifungals. As a result, they become discolored, brittle, and weak. This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment of yellow nails. Prevent future stains by using a hookah or a metal pipe instead of just holding the cigarette with your hands. Scrub your nails with whitening toothpaste to immediately get rid of colorful stains from wearing colored nail polish. Leave the lemon coating on your fingers for 5-10 minutes and then rinse it away with warm water. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Dont attempt this method when you have an open wound or right after using a different stain removal method. Your skin and nails stop yellowing when you stop smoking. If your nails are damaged (and, by default, yellowing significantly), talk to your doctor about other options. John G, Pasche S, Rothen N, Charmoy A, Delhumeau-Cartier C, Genn D. Tobacco-stained fingers: a clue for smoking-related disease or harmful alcohol use? Hydrogen peroxide has been proven to help whiten teeth effectively when combined with baking soda, and its a common ingredient in whitening toothpaste. Seek medical attention if any of these methods cause significant skin irritation, pain, discomfort, or make your condition worse in anyway. (2017, March 1). This solution is applied topically to treat nail fragility and dystrophy like splitting, breaking, and peeling. Another common at-home remedy for discolored nails is mixing one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, two and a half tablespoons of baking soda in a dish. 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. Add one teaspoon of crushed juniper berries to a bowl of warm water. Once all nail polish is removed, you can fully see the stained areas of your nails! B., Gasiska, T., Pawlik, B., & Oboza, A. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Cut a potato in half and rub it into your skin. Tea Tree Oil is a natural and easy treatment for yellow nails. In fact, it might be as simple as spacing out your manicure appointmentsbut more on that later. Always wear fresh socks, and expose your feet to fresh air frequently to avoid toenail infections like athletes foot. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply to the yellowing toenails. However, its easy to file your nails incorrectly, which can lead to jagged. You can also rub the cut side of a lemon on your nails, then let it sit for 10 minutes to lighten them. "When we're low in protein, calcium, or other vitamins, that can sometimes show up on your fingernails." "Nails are made of mainly hardened proteins," Lin explains (namely, a protein calledkeratin). Let's break down a few of the most common reasons for yellow nails: If you're a fan of deep, vampy red or nearly black navy tips, Maiman says the dye in these types of polishes can actually cause yellow discoloration. Hydrogen peroxide has some whitening properties that can remove nicotine stains from your fingernails. Enjoy! Be it ridges, discoloration, or overall brittleness (which can also lead to yellow nails, as we noted above). Try wearing some vinyl or leather gloves to protect your fingers even more. Oregano oil has been found to have antimicrobial properties. To combat this problem, you need to use a shampoo that will remove the residue left by the cigarette smoke. Just be sure to soak in your fingers in lemon juicefor at least 10 minutes. As a freelance writer, Kathi has experience writing both reported features and essays for national publications on the topics of healthcare, advocacy, and education. Kaitlyn McClintock contributed to Byrdie for over two years, most recently covering beauty news for the brand. "I recommend patients use nontoxic nail polishes, such as Dr.'s Remedy, and to take nail polish 'holidays.'" What causes your fingernails to turn yellow? Then, use a toothbrush to scrub the stains on your hands until they're all gone. Since acetone can be very drying, make sure you finish by applying a nourishing hand cream. When they become discolored, it usually means that youve picked up an infection or nail fungus. Yellow nail syndrome. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment and, over the course of a few soaks, may leave your nails much clearer. I use a nail file every day; this does help keep it at bay but sometimes, "I'm a pack-a-day smoker, and I was beginning to get nicotine stains on my pointer and middle fingers. Most likely, your nails have become discolored because of an infection you have or a product you used. How To Get Rid Of Yellow Nails Fast With the acidic corrosive and malice corrosive nearness, apple juice vinegar could help diminish nails' staining. If you hold the cigarette while taking a drag, it will discolor your finger. However, it is important to be aware that home remedies are not always effective. Andrea Jordan is a beauty and lifestyle freelance writer covering topics from hair and skincare to family and home. American Academy of Dermatology Association. ", best for me. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 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. By Kathi Valeii Approved. 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. "It is important to start treatment early while the area of nail involvement is still small," says Kosinski. Many things can cause yellow nails. Her clients include Sephora, Target, and Vogue. Baking soda can also be used to bleach yellow nails and help restore their natural color. If you use this method and it irritates your skin, then rinse the bleach off of your skin right away. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties (12) that can fight off fungal infections that cause nail discoloration in the first place. Rotate your nail to the left and right to make sure youre also buffing the sides of your nail, not just the top, middle section. Oregano Oil 8. at my hands. Likewise, it has antifungal properties which are useful in treating any kind of nail disease that prompts staining. Be sure to use small circles and take your time to avoid damaging your nails. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Space out your applications to give your nails a break. I would smoke, and try to cover the stain on my finger with the cigarette butt. A condition called yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is indicated by continually yellow nails and respiratory or lymphatic problems. When she's not writing, you can find Andrea tackling new recipes in the kitchen or babysitting one of her many nieces and nephews. Especially if you're using traditional polishes that contain formaldehyde, camphor, and toluene, as these harsher ingredients can weaken the nail plate. Mixing hydrogen peroxide into warm water and soaking the nails may improve the appearance of stains, and adding baking soda will make it even more effective. Consult a doctor or dermatologist for more serious skin conditions. Some medications, especially antibiotics, cancer drugs, and acne medicines, can also cause yellow nails. Yes, smoking can cause yellow nails. Buffing your nails will help to remove the yellow stains that may be caused by smoking. Instead, switch to bright or neutral lacquers and use a mitt or glove when applying your self-tanner. Mix 4 parts water with 1 part bleach for this solution in a glass container. unlocking this expert answer. Even a humble nail polish could be to blame for yellowed nailsand therefore should be applied only periodically. How to Get Rid of Yellow Nails/Toenails- Home Remedies 1. Nails can tell you a lot about your overall health. Yellow nail syndrome is a rare disorder in which the cause is unknown. It's formulated with argan oil, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to strengthen and nourish. We rub them and let them act for five minutes every day. How long does it take yellowed nails to go back to their natural color? You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails. Dont use nail polish remover on your nails more than once a week, and use a remover that is less harsh by choosing one that does not contain acetone. To use denture cleaning tablets to whiten your nails, follow these simple directions: Place 3 denture cleaning tablets in a cup of lukewarm water. Yellow nail syndrome. A case-control study, Health benefits of quitting smoking over time. Yellow nail syndrome is exactly what youd think a condition that causes nails to become discolored, ridged, and thick. These include: 6 Tetracyclines (an antibiotic used to treat acne and other bacterial infections) Quinolones (a type of antibiotic) Clofazimine (an antibiotic used to treat leprosy) Combivir (a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV) The nicotine and tar from cigarettes can cause yellow staining on the nails. Additionally, the color of your nail polish could actually be staining your nails, according to nail expert Evelyn Lim, and is more likely to happen with colors that are very pigmented. Either way, I now have no stains, which has made me a lot more confident, and I don't have to hide my hands now! Last Updated: October 25, 2022 You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Other vitamins, that can sometimes show up on your hands until they 're all gone removed, should... 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