Why do nails turn yellow?

1. What are yellow nails?

Yellow nails is a condition where your nails lose their natural color and take on a yellowish hue. This can have several causes and vary in severity. It affects people of all ages.

There are many possible causes of yellow nails, such as smoking, medical conditions, fungal infections, etc. It is important to determine the cause and obtain the appropriate treatment.

Yellow nails are often a sign of an underlying health problem. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if the discoloration of the nails is persistent or severe.

2. Symptoms of yellow nails

It is important to understand that yellow nails can be a symptom of several underlying causes, such as smoking, health problems, fungal or bacterial infection,… Below are several possible symptoms of yellow nails:

• Your nails may become thicker and irregular.
• They get a yellowish tint, ranging from light yellow to dark yellow.
• In some cases an unpleasant odor may develop.
• Your nails become brittle and break or split easily.
• The nail bed may show a yellow discoloration in some cases.

3. Different Causes of Yellow Nails

Yellow nails can be caused by a variety of factors. In some cases, it is possible to prevent yellow nails, but sometimes they occur as a result of an underlying condition that you cannot do anything about. Below, we will discuss the most common factors that can cause yellow nails.

3.1 Gel polish colors

Some gel polishes contain dyes that cause yellow stains on your nail plate. These stains are usually caused by dyes that are in red and yellow gel polish. These dyes are listed on the ingredients label and can be recognized by the following color index numbers:

• Red: 15850
• Yellow: 19140

3.2 Smoking

Yellow nails are common in smokers. This is due to repeated exposure to tobacco smoke.

3.3 Fungal infection

Fungal infections can cause your nails to turn yellow. They also become thicker, rougher, brittle and fragile. In the case of a severe fungal infection, your nails can even come loose completely or partially.

3.4 Diseases

The discoloration of your nails can be caused by several medical conditions including:

• Lung disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Psoriasis
• …

3.5 Yellow nail syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome is a very rare condition, the cause of which is unknown. This condition can cause thicker nails, possible nail separation, yellowish discoloration, and slowed or stopped nail growth.

4. What to do about yellow nails?

The treatment of yellow nails depends on the cause. If the discoloration is caused by a certain disease, fungus or by yellow nail syndrome, it is important to contact your doctor to get the right treatment. We also recommend consulting your doctor in case of persistent and severe discoloration. Below we give some tips if your nails discolor due to gel polish and smoking:

• Gently rub your nails with toothpaste and a toothbrush, as toothpaste has a bleaching effect.
• Soak your nails in a bowl of warm water and lemon juice to reduce discoloration.
• Place a denture cleaning tablet in a bowl of lukewarm water, let the tablet dissolve and soak your nails in the bowl for 5 minutes.