Yellow toenails: causes and what you can do about it

Yellow toenails can be harmless, but they can also indicate a medical condition. Here you can find out what causes the discolouration and what you can do about it.

Walking barefoot is healthy – but you may have noticed yellow discoloration of your toenails while doing so. We will explain the causes of yellow toenails and what home remedies you can use to combat them.

Causes of yellow toenails

Yellow toenails can have a variety of causes that are not necessarily a cause for concern.

• The most harmless reason can be that frequent application of nail polish causes discoloration of your toenails.
• On the other hand, smoking can be to blame in some cases, as nicotine can turn nails yellow.

There can also be a disease behind the yellow discoloration:

• If your nails are brittle and yellow, you may have nail fungus.
• People with psoriasis are also prone to discoloration of their toenails.
• A rare cause of yellow toenails can also be the so-called yellow nail syndrome.

If you suspect you have one of these diseases or if the discoloration is not due to a harmless cause, you should seek medical advice.

Treat yellow toenails with home remedies

Harmless discolorations grow out of the nail after a while. To counteract yellow discolored toenails, you can also use the following home remedies:

• Lemon: Put the juice of one lemon in some tap water and soak your toenails in it. You can also rub the juice directly onto the affected toenails.

• Vinegar: Mix 3 tablespoons of vinegar with a glass of water and bathe your toenails in the solution.

• Baking soda: Mix some baking soda with water to make a paste and spread it on your toenails.

After a short exposure time, you should then wash your feet and toenails thoroughly with clear water and then apply lotion to the skin around the nails, as the acid can dry them out. The effectiveness of these home remedies for yellow toenails has not been proven by scientific studies, but they are definitely worth a try.

According to Healthline, what there is scientific evidence for is the effectiveness of a commercially available cold ointment against yellow toenails.

Preventive measures against nail fungus

There are a few things you can do to prevent toenail fungus and yellow toenails as a symptom of the fungus:

• Dry your feet thoroughly after showering.
• Do not walk barefoot in public places, such as swimming pools.
• Make sure to wear breathable and well-fitting shoes.
• Avoid socks made from synthetic materials.

A balanced diet with enough minerals and vitamins can also help prevent nail fungus.

To avoid yellow discoloration of your toenails from nail polish, it can help to apply a base coat under the colored nail polish.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Cut toenails correctly: You should avoid these 6 mistakes
• Beautiful feet: tips for natural care
• Nail bed inflammation: home remedies for fingers and toes