I. Introduction
Yellow toenails are a common problem that affects many people for a variety of reasons. While it may seem like a minor aesthetic issue, yellow toenails can be a sign of something more serious or even painful. In this article, we aim to provide an informative guide on the causes, treatments, and prevention of yellow toenails.
II. 5 Surprising Reasons Your Toenails May be Turning Yellow
Have you been experiencing yellowed nails even without nail polish? There may be more reasons to it than you expect. Here we elaborate on five reasons:
Nail Polish
Regularly applying nail polish can be an easy way to mask the appearance of yellow nails. However, over time, the pigments in nail polish can stain your nails leaving them yellow or brittle.
Smoking
Not only does smoking lead to a host of health issues, but it can also cause a yellow discoloration on your nails.
Diabetes
People living with diabetes can have circulatory issues, which lead to a decreased blood flow in their nails, causing yellowing and sometimes thickening of the nails.
Toe Nail injury
If you’ve injured your toenail, for instance, slamming it on a door, the nail may change color, taking on a yellow tint. Sometimes, if severe, it may even lead to nail trauma or an infection which can change the appearance of the nail.
Medications
Yellow nails are even a stated side effect for certain medications like antifungal drugs and immunosuppressive medication.
III. Yellow Toenails: A Sign of Something More Serious?
Can yellow toenails point to broader health issues? Here, we discuss a few medical conditions:
Fungal Infections
A fungal toenail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is a common cause of yellow toenails. Fungal toenail infections are sometimes painful and occur when fungi take up residence under the nails.
Psoriasis
Yellow toenails occur alongside scaly patches on the other parts of the body with Psoriasis. By understanding and treating Psoriasis symptoms, nail discoloration can clear up over time.
Liver disease
A yellowish hue to the toenails might indicate an underlying liver issue for some people, where the condition is jaundice.
IV. What Your Yellow Toenails Could be Telling You About Your Health
Yellow toenails shouldn’t be ignored, as they may be indicative of more severe health issues:
Elevation in Liver Enzymes
If yellow toenails are accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, jaundice, fatigue – consider getting a liver function test to check enzymes which could cause yellowing of the toenails.
Diabetic Neuropathy
In some cases, yellow toenails and neuropathy can come about from impacts of diabetes, and circulation issues can cause this. Properly maintaining and managing diabetes can help prevent yellow nails.
V. The Top 7 Causes of Yellow Toenails and How to Treat Them
To effectively cure yellow toenails it is essential to match the underlying cause to appropriate treatment:
Fungal Infection
Antifungal medication, laser therapy, and proactive prevention techniques are common remedies for treating fungal infections of the toenail.
Nutritional Deficiency
If yellow nails are a result of a nutritional deficiency, adding vitamin supplements will fix this issue. Including biotin and iron with a healthy diet can promote healthy nail growth and strength.
Injury
Applying a compress to the affected nail — especially if accompanied by swelling or infection — should help in the healing of the nail. In some serious cases, though, a doctor may need to perform procedures to reduce pain and recover the nail.
Jaundice
For yellow toenails caused by liver disease, diagnosis and treatment of liver disease will be essential for treatment of the yellow toenails.
VI. From Fungi to Genetics: The Science Behind Yellow Toenails
The yellow-discoloration of toenails can be caused by a variety of factors.
Fungi
Fungi that develop in a warm, dark, and moist environment, can all trigger a fungal toenail infection, which is a significant cause of yellow toenails.
Genetics
For some people, nail discoloration is common and may even run in families. Extra melanin in nails is a genetic trait that causes discoloration.
VII. 10 Home Remedies to Help You Get Rid of Yellow Toenails
Home remedies for yellow toenails can vary and may take some time to generate results:
Vinegar Soak
A vinegar solution soak, allows feet to soak in a solution of water and vinegar aids in yellow nail removal and are not expensive to prepare.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, known for its antifungal qualities, is among the most effective natural remedies for removing yellow toenail.
Citrus Fruits
For a more natural remedy, try using citrus fruits to remove the yellow discoloration natural remedies.
VIII. How to Prevent Yellow Toenails and Keep Them Looking Healthy
A few easy precautions can help you prevent yellow toenails:
Choose the Right Shoes
Ensure that you have good fitting shoes and socks suitable for workout activities and properly coincide with the activities you’re doing.
Bactroban
This medicinal ointment is an excellent disinfectant and can help in avoiding fungal infections
IX. Conclusion
While yellow toenails may be caused by various conditions, others can be prevented. Always strive to keep your nails healthy and in the best shape possible by taking proper care of them and contacting a medical professional if necessary. Implementing the tips above will help keep you away from yellow toenails and enjoy healthy, beautiful nails.