If you've noticed your nails are turning yellow, it may be because of this
The four little words that make the world spin, 'I need a manicure!' never ring quite as true as when you glance down at your fingernails and notice that all of the sudden they’re tinged yellow. Eek! But don't freak out just yet. We caught up with two board-certified dermatologists to find out why this happens and how to combat it.
Meet the experts: Shereene Idriss, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.
Reason 1: You wear a lot of dark nail polish.
'Unlike the conventional thinking that healthy nails are firm and hard, the reality is that nails are in fact quite porous,' says Shereene Idriss, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. So when nail polish, especially darker shades, are applied to the nail, the pigment can be absorbed. 'The iron oxides in those polishes become oxidized and result in the temporary yellow-rust like color that will eventually resolve,' she says.
Thankfully, it's not permanent. To avoid the staining in the future, 'Apply a clear base coat prior to using heavily pigmented polishes,' Dr. Idriss says. 'Also, if you are bothered by the yellow stain, take your nail polish off after a week or so, and dare to go bare every once in a while.'
Reason 2: You have a fungus.
If you tend to use public showers—like the ones at the gym, for example—and don't typically wear shower shoes, you have a greater chance of getting a fungal infection on your nails and toes.
'There's definitely a fungus among us, especially when walking barefoot in the locker room,' Dr. Idriss says. 'Athlete's foot is a thing, and it's no surprise the name holds true. Fungus and bacteria can cause the nails to turn yellow-green and eventually acquire chalk-like brittleness.' If you think you've gotten something from the locker room, Dr. Idriss recommends speaking to your dermatologist, since treatment can vary depending on the source of the discolouration.
Reason 3: You’re a smoker (or you have a vitamin deficiency).
'Although the exact reason why is unknown, yellow nails are usually seen in those who suffer from chronic lung disease or poor liver function, and long-term smokers (as nails come into contact with the smoke of tobacco),' says Dr. Idriss. 'Certain vitamin deficiencies such as B-12 and zinc can also lead to nail discoloration over time.'
Reason 4: Someone in your family also has yellow nails.
'This is extremely rare and is known as 'yellow-nail syndrome,' says Dr. Idriss of the hereditary condition. 'It starts in middle age, and is associated with obviously yellow nails of both hands and feet, swelling in the legs, and respiratory signs such as chronic difficulty breathing. If this affects you or someone you know, treating the underlying lung issues and leg swelling is of crucial importance to your health. Your nails may or may not revert back to normal because the changes are due to a genetic mutation.'
How to get rid of yellow nails
Treatment of yellow nails is all dependent on how you got them in the first place. For yellow nails caused by nail polish, for example, board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD suggests avoiding dark colors while your nails get back to their natural shade. (Or give your nail beds a break from polish altogether just to let them breathe).
You can also use nail brighteners like the Butter London Mellow the Yellow, which she says has a blend of vitamin E, exfoliating acids, and lemon fruit extract to help with discolouration, or the Manicurist Green Active Glow that leaves nails with a rosy glow and also nourishes and regenerates them at the same time.
When it comes to conditions like nail fungus, she recommends using an antifungal treatment. Yellow nail syndrome, on the other hand, is more about treating the symptoms that come with it rather than the actual yellow nail. As mentioned previously, your nails may not go back to their normal color because it is considered a genetic mutation.
Dr. Garshicks adds that foods rich in vitamin E, such as avocado, sunflower oil, almonds, and spinach, can also help address yellow nails and it would be wise to incorporate these foods into your diet. You’ll also want to minimise trauma to the nails and to moisturise your nails and cuticles regularly to prevent nail dystrophy, which she says is known to give nails a yellow appearance.
And while she says vinegar soaks have shown to be helpful with nail infections, for anything really serious you should go see a healthcare professional. If you’re doing any of the treatments mentioned above and it’s still not helping, it’s time to give your doctor a call and book an appointment ASAP.
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