Numerous things can cause yellow nails. Otherwise known as onycholysis1, separation of the nail plate and the nail bed can also cause the nails to appear yellow. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment and, over the course of a few soaks, may leave your nails much clearer. But thats not always the case. Likewise, it has antifungal properties which are useful in treating any kind of nail disease that prompts staining. Instead, switch to bright or neutral lacquers and use a mitt or glove when applying your self-tanner. Another solution is potato. Alternatively, you could also create a soak by adding the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix into about 1 cup of water, and soaking your nails for about 5-10 minutes. 2009 - 2023 MindBodyGreen LLC. Here, we tapped experts to get the scoop on what causes yellow nails and how to remedy them. Scrub your nails using hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda for 2-3 minutes to quickly lighten them. Although, it's much more prevalent on the toes than the fingers. Fungal infections commonly cause nail discoloration. The best way to get rid of yellowing nails is to diagnose and treat the problem before it's spiraled out of control. Are There Tests to Diagnose Yellow Nails? "I have had yellow finger stains for years. In order to fully treat yellowed nails, the nails themselves have to be bare, with no layers of polish or varnish. If you develop new darkly colored streaks in the nail, you should see your doctor right away. That, or a stubbed toenail. One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. Dip your nails into hydrogen peroxide. Here are some easy at-home treatments to get your nail game back on track. 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. Avoid these remedies if you have open wounds. Since acetone can be very drying, make sure you finish by applying a nourishing hand cream. 3. The good news? Using lighter or sheer nail polish colors can give your nails a break from the harsh dyes found in darker polishes. Getting rid of yellow nails depends on the cause. If you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, consult with a doctor before trying any of these remedies. Macura, A. Andrea Jordan is a beauty and lifestyle freelance writer covering topics from hair and skincare to family and home. All rights reserved. Try using a whitening toothpaste for extra tough nicotine stains. Peroxide and baking soda . Obviously all this did was make it worse. Prescrire Int. Apply an over-the-counter anti-fungal solution or cream to your nails, such as clotrimazole or undecylenic acid. Do not use this method if you are sensitive to bleach. Dry your nails and apply moisturizing lotion and cuticle 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. Mix 4 parts water with 1 part bleach for this solution in a glass container. Antifungal activity of nanocapsule suspensions containing tea tree oil on the growth of Trichophyton rubrum [Abstract]. A study has shown that tea tree oil can effectively stop common strains of nail fungus from growing. Similar to using tea tree oil for treatment, oregano oil should be mixed with a carrier oil before being applied topically to the affected nail or nails. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The smoke is cooled as it passes through a water system before going through the pipe the user inhales from. (2017, March 1). You need to allow the juice to set for bit loner, about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing. Research even shows vitamin E can helpsupport a healthy, fresh nail color4. Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. Yellow nail syndrome. Zinc supplements are commonly used to help treat yellowed nails. For example, if you're a smoker and your nails are tobacco-stained, you'll need to quit smoking. Then, pour 3-4 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide into cup of water, mix them well. Yellow nails are common. Mix baking soda and warm water to form a paste (or just use toothpaste) and scrub your toenails gently with a toothbrush for about 5 minutes to help lighten or completely remove the stain. Soaking your feet or toes in hot water mixed with baking soda may prevent the fungus from spreading. Often it presents as a dark stripe. Hydrogen peroxide goes deep into the nail and lightens the coloring, similar to the way that bleach strips the color out of hair. 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. Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world. Do this two to three times daily for several weeks. "Certain nail polishes contain triphenyl phosphate, toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate," says Splichal, who adds that those are all ingredients that "can weaken and leech the nutrients from the nails." A good manicurist will use a clean or new manicure kit on each person. 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. If you look at the filter of your cigarette, you'll see very tiny holes will be circling the filter. 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. They may decide it's best to finish the course (if it's short-term), or they may find another treatment option. ", "The lemon and toothpaste one helped me the most!". You can also rub the cut side of a lemon on your nails, then let it sit for 10 minutes to lighten them. Even a humble nail polish could be to blame for yellowed nailsand therefore should be applied only periodically. The lotion can help to reduce the smell of the cigarette smoke as well. I've always known about the toothpaste theory & lemon juice. Keep in mind that this method will sting if you have any small cuts on your fingertips. Lemon has natural bleaching properties which might help lift the stains on your hands. Why do smokers nails turn yellow? 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. That's why nail-strengthening antioxidants, like vitamin E, are beloved in nail care. 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. "This can occur as a result of trauma, chemicals, certain medications and also certain inflammatory conditions like psoriasis," Maiman says. According to Self, the pigments in dark-colored nail polish may react with natural compounds found within the nail plate. When they become discolored, it usually means that youve picked up an infection or nail fungus. However, its easy to file your nails incorrectly, which can lead to jagged. You can find her work on her Instagram account @superflynails. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "In fact, vitamin B12 more commonly causes blue . 20. Yes, smoking often leads to tobacco-stained fingers and nails. You may need to be referred to a dermatologist. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. However, for tougher stains, you may need to use toothpaste. This is usually noticeable in people who have smoked regularly for a long period of time. 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. Your nails can tell you loads about your health, so you might want to head over to your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Case in point? To prevent yellow nails, always apply a base coat before painting them with nail polish. Only buff each nail for about 10 seconds. 3. Alternatively, apply a thin layer of whitening toothpaste to your yellow nails to get rid of the stains. Effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate combined with hydrogen peroxide and CPP-ACPF in whitening and microhardness of enamel. Kaitlyn McClintock contributed to Byrdie for over two years, most recently covering beauty news for the brand. Stir well with a spoon to create a slush-like mixture. You can repeat this process up to 10 times per day. Try apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, mouth wash, or orange peels. If you are a smoker and want to get rid of your smokers lines, the best thing you can do is to quit smoking . Hydrogen peroxide has some whitening properties that can remove nicotine stains from your fingernails. In fact, once you've landed on the root cause, you can usually tend to the discoloration at home or with the help of a professional. Many things can cause yellow nails, including staining from substances like nail polish or a serious underlying health condition. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This means its a great treatment for nails stained by product use. Nail fungus: Prevention, Mayo Clinic Staff. Learn more here. (That's our motto: When in doubt, ask an MD.) "It is important to start treatment early while the area of nail involvement is still small," says Kosinski. 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. When yellowing is caused by fungus, oral prescriptions such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or itraconazole (Sporanox) can be effective. The dye from dark nail polish can seep into the nail enamel, leaving them permanently stained. You may want to wear a mask when doing this method. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda, a half-teaspoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice into a thick paste. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Fix-Nicotine-Stained-Fingers-Step-01-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Fix-Nicotine-Stained-Fingers-Step-01-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/Fix-Nicotine-Stained-Fingers-Step-01-Version-2.jpg\/aid1114329-v4-728px-Fix-Nicotine-Stained-Fingers-Step-01-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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how to get rid of yellow nails from smoking