What can I do About Yellow Nails?

Healthy finger and toenails are usually pink in color. Nail discoloration, including yellow nails, may indicate a problem with the nail. To treat yellow nails, it is important to first determine what is causing the discoloration. Once the cause is discovered, a person can go about treating the problem. Depending on the cause, treatments can range from simply soaking nails in a lemon solution to visiting a doctor for prescription medication.

At times, the type of nail polish you use can cause the nail to turn yellow. In some cases, it is the residue of a dark color reacting to the nail plate that may cause your nail to turn yellow. Other times, the formaldehyde used in some polishes reacts with the keratin in nails to trigger the color change. If the discoloration is caused by nail polish, there are several different methods that can be used to return the nails to normal.

One of the simplest solutions for treating yellow nails caused by dark nail polish is to discontinue use of the polish that caused the problem. If the formaldehyde is the culprit, you can also refrain from using nail polish containing formaldehyde. Using a base coat of clear nail polish before putting on a darker coat can also prevent yellow nails. If you have yellow nails, you can try soaking your hands in various different solutions. Some of these treatments include soaking the nails in lemon juice and water, using denture cleaning tables, smearing on a paste of baking powder and lemon juice, or using a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

You may also have yellow nails because of a fungus or other medical condition. A fungal infection of the nail can not only cause nails to turn yellow but can also cause them to be brittle. These infections can be passed on when you use a public shower barefoot or through shared tools at a nail salon. If your yellow colored nails are due to a fungal infection, there are many different over-the-counter antifungal remedies that can help. In addition, a doctor can prescribe an antifungal medicine, which may be in the form of a cream or liquid, or in tablets that should be taken orally.

Yellow nails can also be the result of a medical condition called yellow nail syndrome. This syndrome can be a derivative of lymphedema, a condition that results when the body's lymphatic system cannot flow properly. If the discoloration is the result of this or another medical condition, the best thing to do is to see your doctor. Once the cause is determined, the doctor can suggest options to treat the condition.