How to get rid of this problem depends on its cause. Initially, you need to assess your general well-being.
If it is good and does not differ from usual, then there is no cause for concern. Remember, have you recently eaten unusual food, taken medications or vitamins? If yes, and after canceling them the problem disappeared, then everything is fine. Evaluate your shoes, tights or socks. Perhaps they are new and the inside is just being painted. If the problem is your love for a bright or dark pedicure, you should buy a good base for the varnish and change the varnish itself if it was of poor quality.
Or maybe a new foot cream is being applied?
For example, with sea buckthorn oil? In any situation, you can whiten your nails using simple folk methods: It can be rubbed in its pure form into the nail plates every day. It will not only whiten, but also saturate it with vitamins, make your nails stronger and smoother. You can also add it to foot baths. By the way, lemon juice will also soften and brighten the skin of your feet. It’s better to take 6 percent apple cider vinegar; it’s healthier than regular apple cider vinegar, and it smells nicer. Do not use acetic acid under any circumstances, it is very dangerous! You should deal with vinegar in the same way as lemon juice - rub it in or add it to baths.
It can be added to foot baths; it perfectly softens and whitens both nails and skin. You can also make a paste by mixing it with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. This paste should be rubbed into the nail plates.
It will cause yellowing toenails both as an abrasive and as a bleach. It should be applied with a brush using soft circular movements, without touching the cuticle area. These fresh berries need to be mashed and applied to your nails. Strawberries will not only whiten, but also strengthen fabrics. In addition, there are special whitening pencils that allow you to achieve quick results. If nothing helps, what to do? If your toenail has turned yellow, and the available methods do not help, and the situation is worsened by the fact that the plate also crumbles, breaks, is loose and uneven, and thick, then it is most likely a fungus.
What to do in this case? The disease is caused by different types of fungi, and in each case different remedies help. If the stage is mild, you can try to cope with folk remedies: tea tree oil, garlic juice, it is better to immediately go to the doctor. He will choose the right treatment. You cannot delay this, because in advanced cases the nails on the big toes and the nail plate may turn yellow completely. If it is not a fungus, but yellow spots on the toenails turn into yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes, then this is a very alarming symptom, in which you should immediately go to the doctor. This is increased growth of the brow ridges, cheekbones, hands, feet, head, why the nails on the big toes turn yellow, fatigue.
How to determine the cause of yellowing nails To make a diagnosis, you need a comprehensive examination: Examination by a dermatologist with examination of the nail plates under a microscope and inoculation of their areas on nutrient media; this will help determine the type of fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. Blood test for glucose levels. Analysis of venous blood for liver tests. X-ray of the lungs - if there is a suspicion of tuberculosis, pneumonia or tumor damage to the lung tissue.
Blood lipidogram determines the amount of fat fractions, including cholesterol. Determination of the amount of thyroid hormones - if diseases of this organ are suspected. Blood for RW - if there is a suspicion of latent syphilis. MRI of the brain - to identify multiple sclerosis, as well as the causes of acromegaly.
How to treat yellow nails Considering how many serious diseases can cause yellowing nails, the main task is to eliminate them. If the examination reveals one of them, you need to start the treatment prescribed by the doctor, at the same time, why are the nails on your big toes yellowing, is it possible to use nail whitening agents if it is present. If it turns out that the cause of the change in nail color is a fungal infection, it will be necessary to apply antifungal ointments or creams prescribed by a dermatologist to the nail plates. If the cause of yellowing is onychogryphosis, then treatment is needed in a dermatologist's office. The doctor will soften the nail and then scrape it.
Onychodystrophy is treated by eliminating the causes of the disease; In addition, medications that improve blood supply to the nail will be prescribed internally.
Published: March 13, 2018 | Author: Osip (Joseph)
Problems related to nails worry more the female part of the population. A cause for concern is when nails turn yellow and peel. There can be many reasons for this, but it is necessary to deal with each of them. If you are able to influence the cause of such a problem, then your nails can become healthy and shiny as before.
Let's start with the cause, which is associated with an infectious lesion of the body - jaundice or viral hepatitis. This may also be obstructive jaundice, when there is an obstacle in the bile duct (stones, sand, helminths, tumor) for the exit of bile.
With this disease, the fingernails and toenails turn yellow, and the skin and mucous membranes also change their natural color. This occurs as a result of an increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood, which normally has a poisonous yellow color.
Nails can change their color due to chronic lymphostasis, diabetes mellitus, erythroderma of various etiologies. With these diseases, not only the color changes, the nail plates can thicken, taking on an unnatural appearance.
If we talk about health, the reason why nails turn yellow can also be other diseases of the liver, lungs, cardiovascular and endocrine systems. To exclude these causes, it is necessary to undergo a diagnostic examination and receive qualified advice, and, if necessary, the help of a doctor.
The causes of brittle nails and their yellow coloration are varied, but one of them may be a fungal infection of the nails. The fact is that the fungus produces coloring pigments as a result of its vital activity.
The fungus can damage the nails gradually, and in addition to discoloration, a symptom of fungal infection is their separation. The common name for this problem is onychodystrophy of the nails, which is a serious reason to urgently take care of your health.
If you have ruled out all health-related reasons, let's look at other reasons and understand why nails turn yellow?
Part of the reason is related to health, and more to do with lifestyle, is smoking, especially for a long time. The content of carcinogenic substances and harmful tars in tobacco can not only stain your nails, but also the fingers in which you usually hold a cigarette. Moreover, the harm that you cause to yourself when smoking is minimal for your nails. If you could look into the lungs of a long-time smoker, the problem of yellow nails would immediately become a second priority.
Fingernails turn yellow when varnish is applied directly to the nail in a beauty salon. Recently, protective varnishes have been used, which are used to first coat the nails and then cover them with regular varnish.
It's no secret that nail polish turns your nails yellow because it contains harmful chemicals (nitrocellulose, dibutyl phthalate, toluene) that can change the color of your nails and harm them. And the nail plate itself has a porous structure and easily absorbs all harmful substances that change the color of the nail plate over time.
Never use cheap nail polish and immediately buy a protective polish for yourself if you cannot do without a manicure. But if you can give your nails a rest, take this opportunity and take a time out for at least a month.
In addition to applying protective varnish, regularly take baths with sea salt for your nails and nourish your nails with special oils. This procedure at least once a week will help protect your nails.
Your fingernails turn yellow if you drink a lot of coffee and strong tea, as well as if you take certain types of antibiotics (tetracycline) for a long time. Sadly, drinking large amounts of coffee is also considered a bad habit. If you want to have beautiful and healthy nails, give up bad habits or consume limited amounts of these drinks.
If you habitually use household chemicals and do not wear rubber gloves when working, then do not be surprised why your nails turn yellow. Household chemicals affect not only nails, but also skin. Basic standards and compliance with the rules of endoecology will help you protect not only your nails, but also your health. Wear protective gloves even when contact with household chemicals is minimized.
Another important reason why nails turn yellow and peel is the lack of vitamins and microelements that are essential for health. Deficiency of calcium, magnesium, sulfur, vitamins A, E, D can cause cosmetic defects for a long time.
In this case, it is necessary to identify the cause of the deficiency. It can become commonplace intestinal dysbiosis or gastritis, when at the level of the small intestine and gastric mucosa, colonized by fungi and pathogenic microflora, beneficial substances are simply not absorbed. If beneficial substances do not enter your body, add more fresh vegetables and fruits to your diet, as well as special sets of vitamins and minerals in the form of dietary supplements.
What to do if your nails turn yellow? The answer to this question is partially covered in the article, but all those who have yellow nails should know and remember: preventing a problem is always easier than eliminating it. And it is easier to eliminate not the problem itself, but the reasons that could lead to its occurrence.
If you have carefully read the reasons and know why your nails turn yellow, find the very reason that could cause you this unpleasant and unaesthetic defect. After all, there are many ways to restore your nails to a healthy and well-groomed appearance.
Nail plates are lightened with lemon juice, baking soda, toothpaste, and hydrogen peroxide. To do this, you need to soak your hands every day in a warm bath with the addition of any of these substances. It is especially good to make lotions from pieces of lemon, which are applied to the nail and left overnight.
You can use special cosmetic procedures to lighten your nails, but there is one catch: if the cause of yellowness is not eliminated, cosmetic treatment will not give a lasting effect.
You can tell about a person's health by the color of his nails. The appearance of a yellow tint can serve as a signal of a malfunction in the body. Why do yellow toenails appear? Let's figure it out.
There are several reasons for the appearance of a yellow tint on nails - external and internal.
Ultraviolet rays give them a yellow tint, so it is recommended to visit the solarium no more than once a week. Household chemicals cause significant damage to the nail plate. They can turn yellow from varnishes and varnish removers, from conditioners, from creams and various skin care products. Any chemical that comes into contact with the surface of the nail can change its color.
Why is this happening? The reason is chronic infections - hepatitis, rubella, psoriasis. Due to these diseases, the nail becomes thicker and appears yellow. The so-called “yellow nail syndrome” most often affects middle-aged and elderly people. This is due to a deficiency of vitamins and microelements, as well as the inevitable aging process.
Diabetes mellitus, jaundice - these diseases are one of the reasons why the nail turns yellow. These diseases provoke disruptions in the metabolic system, and as a result, all this affects their color.
A long course of taking antibiotics causes changes in the structure of the nail plate, it becomes thicker and acquires a yellowish color.
The main reason is a fungal infection. You can get it anywhere - in the pool, in the bathhouse, sauna, gym, while doing a pedicure. Fungus also appears due to high humidity in shoes and damage to the nail surface.
The first sign of infection is a yellow stripe on the thumb. If treatment is not started in time, the nail becomes thicker and yellower.
If the nail has turned yellow due to various diseases, then only a doctor can prescribe treatment.
If the reason is a fungal infection, or the nail has become yellow due to external factors, then you can cope with it yourself. To return them to a healthy color, you must first eliminate the cause of the yellow color. You should forget about cheap varnishes and varnish removers that contain nitrocellulose and acetone. You shouldn't paint your nails all the time; you need to take a break for a few days. Keep your manicure tools clean. If you resort to the services of salons, then pay attention to whether the instruments are sterilized. If a reaction to household chemicals, shower gels, creams is noticed, then their use should be stopped.
Make sure your shoes and socks are always dry. Excessive sweating causes bacteria to develop in damp shoes, which can cause fungus.
Having assessed the degree of damage to the nail plate, it is necessary to choose a method of eliminating the fungus. Treatment can be with the help of folk remedies and medications.
You can get rid of yellow toenails using folk remedies in the following ways:
If traditional medicine does not help, then use pharmaceutical remedies. The most effective are varnishes:
They are quite expensive, their price varies from 700 to 1500 rubles, but they quickly and effectively fight toenail fungus.
If the lesion is extensive and the fungal infection develops rapidly, then you cannot do without taking antibiotics:
Various ointments and emulsions are widely used. The most popular of them:
It should be noted that the active ingredient of these drugs is ciclopiroxolamine, it is effective only in the early stages of fungal infection.
If the treatment was chosen correctly and carried out in full, the tissue affected by the fungus is replaced with healthy one.
Having noticed the first signs of the appearance of yellow nails on the hands or feet, everyone experiences great concern because they look ugly. An attribute of a successful person is beautiful and well-groomed nails. Yellow toenails bring a lot of trouble to their owners, the reasons for this can be different. However, many consider the yellow color of the nail plate to be just an annoying cosmetic nuisance. Few people realize how serious such a complex problem is. Clean pink horny transparent plates on the fingers of the limbs are an indicator of good physical health
An intact plate has a pink color, flexibility, moderate density, and a smooth, even surface. An important sensitive part of the nail is the lunula, which is located at the base of each nail. The growth of the plate occurs here. This pale pink or white hole on the nails has the shape of a crescent.
Why might toenails turn yellow? You need to promptly seek help from a specialist. An experienced diagnostician can tell a patient a lot by studying the changes in color and texture of ungnis, which have a complex anatomical structure. In order for the treatment of horny plates located on the nail bed to be as effective as possible, it is important to immediately determine the etiology of yellowing of the nails.
If a yellow color appears in the horny plates, it is necessary to determine the problem. Why do my toenails turn yellow?
If a person has unsightly yellow nails on his big toes, the cause of such disorders may be a painful condition of the body. Under the influence of internal diseases, the structure and color of the ungnis often change. This is due to damage to various organs. Yellowness of the nail plate is a clear visible symptom of various ailments. What diseases are accompanied by a transformation in the appearance of nails?
The horny plates turn yellow due to such serious health problems as:
Onychiae is the general name for all diseases of the horny plate on the fingers. A congenital disease of ungnis is onychogryphosis. The nail plate thickens and becomes dirty brown or yellow. It rises and bends to the side, acquiring a claw-like shape, which is characterized by a striated, uneven surface of an unusually hard plate. Several deep transverse and longitudinal grooves appear here.
A disease of fungal origin - mycosis. Different types of fungi can affect the condition of your nails. Pseudomonas infects the base of the nail. Trichophyton is one of the most common pathogens. Horny plates affected by a fungal infection take on a characteristic unkempt appearance. In the center, on the sides of the dense horny plate, yellowish spots and stripes appear. Such disorders most often appear on the legs. Yellow nail plates become loose and flake. The nail on the big toe is gradually destroyed. Often the foot is also affected by a dangerous pathogen.
Due to dangerous fungal infections, the nail plate acquires a greenish or yellow color. Fungus is a common cause of nail plate destruction. Its tissues become denser and pathologically change. The nail plate affected by candidiasis becomes thinner at the lateral edges. Mycosis cannot be started. You need to contact a mycologist who treats fungal tissue infections.
Trophic changes in the nails (onychodystrophia) are common. In this case, a change in their natural color is observed. Various abnormalities appear in the nail matrix area. The nail folds and the bed of the horny plate are affected. Why do toenails often peel and turn yellow?
A very rare disease is yellow nail syndrome. Hypoplasia of the lymphatic system is another name for this pathology. Middle-aged and elderly men most often suffer from this disease. In such patients, nail growth slows down significantly. Due to the growth of horny masses on the plate, the ungnis thickens. Toenails are yellow. The edges of the nail plate may darken, its surface acquires a greenish-yellow tint. Only in rare cases can the normal shape and structure of the fingernails be restored.
Smoking always harms the entire human body. Nicotine turns a smoker's fingers and nails an unpleasant yellow color because every cigarette contains tar. Damage to the body caused by tobacco can be very severe. Due to the effects of nicotine, smoker's nails do not receive enough oxygen. They look extremely unpleasant and become very weak.
Food also has an impact on this problem. Even in healthy people, carotenoderma can occur with an excessive intake of beta-carotene from food. If the carotene content exceeds the norm by 3 times, clinical manifestations of this pathology occur. With these disorders, there may be a yellow-orange pigment in the nails, mucous membranes and the entire surface of the skin. Keratin scales are visible on yellowed nail plates, causing the nails to become rough. In severe cases, carotene jaundice develops.
The influence of various toxic chemical compounds is negatively affected by the frequent use of household chemicals and low-quality nail polish removers.
Nails become yellow and brittle as a result of constant painting with varnish. Coloring pigments based on nitrocellulose intensively tint the nail plate, penetrating deep into the tissues. The nutrition of nails under a dense layer of decorative coating on the hands is significantly impaired.
Visible yellowing of the nail plate is often the result of a long course of treatment with arsenic drugs, quinol group drugs, and tetracycline antibiotics. Yellow-brown stains remain on the affected nails.
At the first symptoms of a change in the appearance of your nails, you should immediately seek help. Problematic nails need to be properly examined. If yellowness appears, the cause is determined by the doctor after examination. Consultation with an endocrinologist is required.
It is necessary to determine the etiological factors of the abnormal color of the nail plate. Serious internal disorders can only be treated by a specialist. The doctor will prescribe a course of treatment or advise you to change your lifestyle. It is useful to give up bad habits. The treatment regimen must be strictly followed.
Nail fungus is treated with turpentine salt baths. It is necessary to disinfect shoes with chloramine or formaldehyde solution. A dermatologist can prescribe Lamisil in the form of a gel or cream, antimycotic varnish Loceryl, Terbinafine in tablet form. It is required to undergo a full course of treatment in advanced cases of fungal infection.
It is necessary to use special cosmetics for the base coat and high-quality decorative cosmetics. Do not use manicure polish for more than 5 days in a row. Why is this necessary? Since the nail plate has a porous structure, the ungnis tissue must be able to “breathe”. Professional types of manicure are safe for the healthy growth of ungnis.
Supportive and symptomatic treatment is usually prescribed to patients suffering from yellow nail syndrome. Damaged areas of the horny plate must be lubricated with antimycotic agents. Special preparations with zinc and vitamin E in oil are carefully applied to damaged areas of ungnis. Nail plates should always be protected from the slightest damage. Daily warm baths with baking soda are helpful.
If the untidy yellow color of your nails is not associated with internal diseases, you can return the horny plates to their normal pink color at home. A sea salt bath is effectively used for this purpose. You can lubricate your nails with a piece of lemon every day. When doing housekeeping, you should always use gloves to protect the nail plates on your hands.
A yellow toenail is not normal. A change in color should always be a reason to seriously think about your health. Yellowed plates on the leg can be both a sign of a serious disease and an annoying cosmetic nuisance. Self-medication can do a lot of harm. It is required to timely include in your plans a visit to a qualified medical specialist. It is necessary to consult an experienced dermatologist. If necessary, he will refer the patient to other specialists.
Yellow nails look repulsive. However, this is not just a cosmetic defect. A healthy nail bed is evenly colored light pink due to the capillaries shining through it. The surface of the nail plate is flat, smooth, shiny, without tubercles or grooves. There should be no white or dark spots on it. Its end is dense and hard, not loosened. Yellowing of nails is an alarming sign. Changes are most often caused by negative processes occurring in the body. The surface changes shade and becomes deformed with the development of some serious diseases.
The most common cause of yellowing nails is a fungal infection. The infected nail plate thickens, splits and crumbles. It loses transparency, becomes cloudy and turns yellow. The characteristic yellowness is due to the activity of fungal microorganisms. The pigment is produced in the mycelium and spores of fungi under the influence of light. Spots and stripes may appear on the nail that differ in color from the rest of the plate. The surface of the plate is deformed and becomes covered with grooves and tubercles. Another characteristic sign of a fungal infection is an unpleasant odor, in addition to itching and burning in nearby areas of the skin.
Toenail fungus turns yellow more often in men because their feet sweat more. A humid environment is an ideal place for fungal microorganisms to multiply.
The disease is transmitted by contact, as well as through objects used by a sick person. Most often, infection occurs during visits to damp, poorly ventilated common areas. Yellow toenails may appear after working out in the gym or pool, after relaxing on the beach or going to the sauna. Infection often occurs as a result of using someone else's shoes or socks.
If your nails turn yellow due to a fungal infection, it can be very difficult to get rid of. Fungi penetrate deep into the tissues of the skin and nail plate. To destroy all pathogens, comprehensive long-term treatment under medical supervision is necessary.
If you regularly use dark-colored polish, your nails may become yellowish over time. This occurs due to partial absorption of colorants from the varnish by the plate. The nail surfaces turn yellow most strongly after using red varnish, which contains a large amount of iron oxides and other pigments. Color changes also occur under the influence of formaldehyde, which reacts chemically with nail keratin. Formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (also known to cause yellowing) are ingredients in most cheap varnishes.
Yellowish plates are found in tanning enthusiasts. Color change occurs under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
The tips of the fingers are yellow in heavy smokers. Nicotine accumulates in the nail plates, changing their appearance.
Household chemicals have a negative effect on unprotected hands.
Yellowness of tissues is a sign of intoxication of the body. This may be occupational intoxication that develops as a result of constant contact with toxic substances at work. Poisoning can occur due to alcohol abuse or drug use.
Long-term use of antibiotics also leads to deformation of the nail plates and their yellowing.
When yellowness is detected on the nails, doctors recommend paying attention to the feet. If your toenails turn yellow at the very root, you should immediately visit a doctor and get examined. Doctors call this condition “yellow nail syndrome.” It indicates the presence of a serious illness.
However, only a doctor can determine the true cause of the changes and prescribe adequate treatment. Ignoring the problem and self-medicating can lead to the development of more severe forms of the disease and complications.
Yellow toenails bring a lot of trouble to their owners, especially in the summer. After all, this cosmetic defect does not allow you to wear open-toed shoes, and visiting the beach causes embarrassment. Continuously covering your nails with varnish only aggravates the problem, making them even weaker. In order to remove yellowness once and for all, you should find the answer to the question: “Why are your toenails yellow?”
There are many reasons why nails turn yellow and each of them has its own solution. Nails can be yellow due to external influences on the body, and due to internal diseases.
Diseases, in turn, can be either acquired or congenital. Yellowness can appear with the following nail diseases:
Fungal infection of the nail plate (onychomycosis) . With this disease, in addition to yellowness, other manifestations on the nails are visible:
Onychomycosis is the most common cause of yellow toenails. Therefore, the dermatologist prescribes a test to identify the causative agent of the disease first. Fungal infection of nails in an advanced state is difficult to treat, and timely diagnosis will avoid long, debilitating and expensive restoration of their health.
Psoriasis. The disease can occur both on the skin of the fingers and on the nails. In this case, the nail plates look like this:
Dystrophic onychia. Yellow-gray dull nails in this case have this appearance due to a violation of the formation of the nail in the matrix. The nail plates grow crooked, wavy, have longitudinal and transverse grooves, depressions, peel off from the bed, etc.
Nail dystrophy is a consequence of a number of diseases of an infectious nature of various etiologies: pneumonia, measles, tuberculosis, dysentery, rubella, scarlet fever. Onychia of the dystrophic type can be caused by diseases of the nervous system: neuritis, multiple sclerosis, polio and others, as well as intoxication: alcoholism, long-term treatment with antibiotics, major surgery.
Onychogryphosis. Most often it manifests itself as a hereditary disease, but can occur as a result of injury or frostbite. With this disease, the toenail is yellow in color from light to dark shades. The nail plate becomes very compacted, bending into an arc shape. This makes the nail look like the beak of a bird of prey. In addition to the unsightly color, nails become very difficult to trim, which causes discomfort and pain.
Answer to the question: “Why do my toenails turn yellow?” can be given not only by a dermatologist, but also by a therapist. A variety of ailments can manifest such a defect: liver disease, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, vitamin deficiency and much more. The essence of any of them is a metabolic disorder, as a result of which the nails are deficient in useful microelements and vitamins, and as a result they become dull, brittle and yellow.
If yellow feet on the feet are often the result of diseases, then the nail plates on the hands are also often exposed to external influences. These include the following:
If the fingernails have turned yellow, then for women the main reason for this phenomenon is low-quality cosmetic varnishes or a poorly performed manicure. Cheap varnishes in bright colors contain aggressive coloring pigments. In the absence of a transparent protective base, such substances are able to penetrate deeply into the layers of the nail plates, causing a change in their color. And there’s nothing you can do about it; no means can rid your marigolds of yellowness. You'll have to wait for the nail to grow back.
Acetone, contained in many nail polish removers, is no less harmful. If it is used frequently, the result will be rapid yellowing of the fingernails and toenails.
Manicure causes unfavorable condition of nails if you do not take a break between coloring or extensions. Today, a coating such as shellac is often used. This is a long-term manicure, and girls, often removing the previous layer, immediately apply a new coating, and this is very harmful. To maintain a healthy appearance of the nail plates, you should take a break for several days at least once a month. At this time, it is useful to make hand baths and rub nourishing creams or oils into the nails.
An excess of ultraviolet radiation is no less important. By the end of summer, nails often lose their transparency, especially if a woman spends a lot of time in direct sunlight. This also applies to artificial tanning. The time of visiting the solarium should be strictly controlled.
Smoking gives your nails an unsightly tint , regardless of the quality of the tobacco. Even light women's cigarettes can stain your nails and the skin around them an unsightly color.
Household products with aggressive chemical components that a woman uses every day in her everyday life can negatively affect the color of her nails. Therefore, when interacting with these substances, it is necessary to use protective rubber gloves.
Products such as tea, coffee and even carrots consumed in large quantities can contribute to yellowing of nails.
What to do if a yellow spot appears on your nails?
To provide first aid to yellow nails, you can use available folk remedies. These are lemon, toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide and soda. Any of these components can be added to a nail bath or made into a compress.
As for cosmetic products, it is good to use ylang-ylang oil or any other oil specifically designed to remove yellowness.
If the disease is caused by internal diseases or nail fungus, then you should not hesitate to visit a doctor. The sooner you start treatment, the faster your nails will become healthy again.
In case of a lack of vitamins and microelements, it is advisable to diversify the menu with healthy foods: vegetables, herbs, milk, fish, nuts. Vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, as well as microelements: calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus are especially valuable for nails. It should be remembered that full absorption of calcium, which strengthens nails, occurs if vitamin D is present in food. This vitamin is present in foods such as eggs, liver, butter.
Nails are a kind of indicator of our health. A change in their natural shade signals a problem in the body.
Many people experience yellowish nail plates. Some people don’t pay attention to this phenomenon, but most people, especially women, are still trying to figure out why their toenails turn yellow and how to deal with this problem.
There are several reasons why plates change color. A certain number of factors require medical intervention, while other causes can be eliminated by correcting a person’s habits.
The cause of yellowing nails is not always associated with a serious illness. The defect may appear due to wearing uncomfortable shoes.
For example, if a girl constantly walks in dress shoes with stiletto heels, her toes will be squeezed. In this case, local blood circulation will slow down, the nails will begin to peel and change color. The plates on the affected fingers may thicken all or only some.
Also, the cause of yellow toenails in women may be chemical exposure. The use of low-quality decorative varnishes, removers for removing coatings and household chemicals leaves a negative imprint on the nails. To prevent the plates from suffering, they need to take periodic breaks between stainings.
The third point is smoking. Men and women who are not averse to taking a drag from a cigarette often have yellow nails due to smoking. If a bad habit follows a person for years, his body accumulates nicotine and tar. As a result, the nails acquire a yellowish color.
A nail can also turn yellow because a heavy object fell on the foot or the finger was injured during a pedicure. If it is impossible to predict accidental injuries, then you should approach pedicure responsibly, having it serviced by an experienced nail technician or caring for your nails at home using sterile instruments.
The body may respond to long-term use of antibiotics and arsenic preparations by yellowing of nails. Treatment cannot be interrupted due to a cosmetic defect. The nail will restore its normal state on its own after the body recovers.
For older people, the answer to the question of why toenails turn yellow may be as follows.
As we age, the body slows down all the processes that ensure a healthy existence. This includes blood circulation, metabolism, proper distribution of nutrients, as well as the strength of the immune system. It has been noticed that old people's nails grow slowly. Without receiving enough vitamins and minerals, the plates change their color and structure.
If the information above does not reflect the reasons for the change in the color of the plates in your case, your doctor will help you understand the question of why your toenails turn yellow.
This symptom indicates congenital and acquired nail diseases. They develop against the background of dermatological pathologies, improper functioning of the nervous system and under the influence of physicochemical and biological factors.
Internal causes of yellow nails:
In certain professional activities, yellowing of nails may be a sign of accumulation of chromium compounds or exposure to high temperatures. In hot shops and the chemical industry, nails change color under the influence of local factors.
When toenails turn yellow and thicken, treatment should begin with an examination by a doctor. A therapist or dermatologist will correctly diagnose and prescribe a course of therapy.
If it is determined that the nail has turned yellow due to infection with a fungus, it will be necessary to treat it with local and systemic fungicidal agents. The method of treatment is determined by the severity of onychomycosis and may include laser nail cleaning.
In the early stages, medicinal varnishes, creams, solutions, and ointments help well against fungus. The active substances penetrate deeply into the affected areas and neutralize pathogens. With the systematic use of fungicides, the development of mycotic infection is suspended and pathogenic agents are deactivated.
In case of advanced onychomycosis, it is rational to take antibiotics. If the nail on the big toe turns yellow and the defect occupies a significant surface of the plate, antibacterial drugs will help cure associated ailments and support the patient’s condition with immunodeficiency and diabetes. But to restore nails, it is rational to use antibiotics after 50 years.
Laser treatment of a yellow nail involves removing the upper keratinized areas of the plate. Hardware cleaning reduces the duration of therapy by half and partially eliminates the infection.
To lighten yellow nails, if they are not damaged due to illness, use baking soda, sea salt, vinegar essence and other products at home.
How to treat yellow nails with folk remedies: