Yellowing of the nail can indicate a fungal infection of the nail, more commonly seen in toenails than fingernails. The discoloration becomes worse with tight-fitting shoes or trauma to the nail plates and can be associated with athlete's foot, as well. The most common fungal infection is from the Trichophyton family.
If you frequently wear nail polish, you may notice that your nails become stained yellow. However, more serious situations, like nail infections, yellow nail disease, lung syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause yellow nails. In addition, smoking can sometimes stain nails yellow.
Getting rid of yellow toenails
Trim and file your nails (when necessary). Apply an over-the-counter anti-fungal solution or cream to your nails, such as clotrimazole or undecylenic acid. An alternative is to apply Vicks VapoRub to your nails, but this may be less effective than anti-fungal products.
Vitamin E deficiency may lead to yellow-colored nails. So can many other vitamin deficiencies or conditions. If you have yellow nails, see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Yellow nail syndrome is a rare nail disorder.
One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
Liver diseases
You can see yellowing of skin and nails with underlying liver disease and jaundice with treatment aimed at treating underlying liver disease. There are a number of causes that can lead to yellowing of the nails. See a dermatologist to help determine the cause and treatment.
Several cases of yellow nail syndrome in association with cancer of the breast, lung, and larynx have been reported. The nail changes are related to lymphatic obstruction, which is caused by the underlying malignancy.
yellow nails
The skin and nails of patients with diabetes tend to take on a yellow hue, probably due to metabolism of glucose which has become linked to protein. This hue is most evident in the nails, especially distally, but occasionally evident in the skin.
A change in the colour of your nails can also be a sign of something more serious. Thyroid, liver and lung diseases, amongst other conditions like diabetes, can all lead to yellowing nails. If after 10-14 days of at-home treatments, you don't see any improvement go see your doctor.
"White/yellow/greenish discolouration and thickening at the end of the nail spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which may be thick and brittle," said Practical Diabetes. It added: "The distorted nail can become sharp or break off, and can dig into neighbouring toes."
Healthy nails are generally pink. Very pale nails may indicate illnesses, such as anemia, congestive heart failure or liver disease. Poor nutrition also may be a culprit. It's a good idea to get very pale nails checked by a doctor.
Overview. The nails change with aging, growing more slowly, and becoming dull and brittle. The color may change from translucent to yellowed and opaque.
The characteristic finding associated with yellow nail syndrome is the development of yellow, thickened, and excessively curved nails with almost complete stoppage of nail growth. Loss of the strip of hardened skin at the base and sides of a fingernail (cuticles) may also occur.
The yellow nail syndrome is rare. It associates the triad: yellow nails, lymphedema and thoracic events. We report two cases of this syndrome with major hypothyroidism.
Nails may darken, crack or become brittle. White ridges or bands of discoloration may appear along the nails.
Koilonychia is indented nails. Instead of growing straight, your nails look concave, like spoons. In many people, koilonychia is a sign of iron deficiency. Usually, you can get rid of spoon nails by treating the underlying cause.
YNS is characterized by a triad of thickened yellow nails, primary lymphedema and respiratory manifestations. It is an acquired condition of unknown etiology. It is a syndrome – not a disease – that is associated with conditions as different as diseases implicating the lymphatic system, autoimmune diseases or cancers.
Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include: Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice) Pain in your upper right abdomen. A swollen belly (ascites)
A liver that is working poorly cannot get rid of bilirubin, a substance that produces a yellowing of the eyes and skin called jaundice. Too much alcohol and some medicines can also lead to jaundice.