how to get rid of yellow nails from smoking

References Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse in Maryland. Yellow nails are a condition that a healthcare provider should check out. Fungus can only grow in an environment where the pH level is acidic. According to board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical Rachel Maiman, M.D., the causes of yellow nails can range from cosmetic concerns (like wearing dark nail polish) to underlying nail health issues (like fungal infections). Singal A, Bisherwal K. Melanonychia: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. The Best 8 Home Remedies for Cysts: Do They Work? Either way, I now have no stains, which has made me a lot more confident, and I don't have to hide my hands now! Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Let's break down a few of the most common reasons for yellow nails: If you're a fan of deep, vampy red or nearly black navy tips, Maiman says the dye in these types of polishes can actually cause yellow discoloration. Sure, you can always schedule a manicure to cover up the appearance of yellow-tinted nails (assuming the hue is cosmetic-related and doesn't signal a health issue), but there's also an easy way to clear the color at home. Seek medical attention if any of these methods cause significant skin irritation, pain, discomfort, or make your condition worse in anyway. Antifungal activity of nanocapsule suspensions containing tea tree oil on the growth of Trichophyton rubrum [Abstract]. We avoid using tertiary references. No More Yellow Toenails: Your Guide to Healthy Nails and Feet, Cracked Skin Around Nails: At-Home Remedies & Solutions. 12+ Tips for Easy Care & Prevention for Dry, Peeling Cuticle Skin, How to Treat a Black Toenail from Injury, Fungus, & More, How to Care for a Broken Toenail (Plus When to See a Doctor), Guide to Removing, Cleaning, and Caring for Dead Toenails. Mix baking soda and warm water to form a paste (or just use toothpaste) and scrub your toenails gently with a toothbrush for about 5 minutes to help lighten or completely remove the stain. Expert Interview. Coconut Oil You can use Bael Wellness Tea Tree Oil to prevent yellowing of your nails. The nicotine and tar from cigarettes can cause yellow staining on the nails. Even a humble nail polish could be to blame for yellowed nailsand therefore should be applied only periodically. Yellow nail syndrome. Scrub your nails with whitening toothpaste to immediately get rid of colorful stains from wearing colored nail polish. If your yellow nails are accompanied by other body-wide symptoms (respiratory or circulatory symptoms), it is essential to get that checked out, as it could signal yellow nail syndrome. "Nails are made of mainly hardened proteins," Lin explains (namely, a protein calledkeratin). Mix well and place your fingertips in the bowl. Some causes are harmless, like staining from dark-colored nail polish. (2017, March 1). Read our, How Long Does It Take Nail Polish to Dry? First, wet your hands and apply toothpaste to a clean toothbrush. Hydrogen peroxide has oxidizing abilities, which makes it a stain remover. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "When we're low in protein, calcium, or other vitamins, that can sometimes show up on your fingernails." "It is important to start treatment early while the area of nail involvement is still small," says Kosinski. Will update on progress as I've gotta find one of these remedies. There's nothing wrong with a faux-glow, but just like these at-home tanners can cause palms to look yellowish-orange, the same goes for your fingernails. In addition, smoking can sometimes stain nails yellow. Yes, one way to free your fingers from yellow stain from nicotine is by using a dilute solution of water and bleach. If you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, consult with a doctor before trying any of these remedies. For this, you need the standard brown-bottle stuff that you can find on Amazon. Yellow nails are common. Dip your nails into hydrogen peroxide. And if the medication causes your yellow nails, you should talk with a healthcare provider about alternatives that don't have that side effect. A study has shown that tea tree oil can effectively stop common strains of nail fungus from growing. A more serious issue (perhaps an infection or other illness) could be the cause of your yellow nails. There are plenty of home remedies that you can try to treat the condition. Oregano oil has been found to have antimicrobial properties. More rarely, theyre a, Filing your nails is a good way to keep a uniform length and shape. If they're still yellow, try cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it onto your nails for 30 seconds. This article received 18 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Dont attempt this method when you have an open wound or right after using a different stain removal method. Tip #1: Using Baking Soda or Toothpaste. One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. The condition is benign2, which means no cause for concern, but you might still want to get it checked out by a doctor to make sure there are no other underlying issues. If this is a condition you may be dealing with, it's best to visit a doctor to avoid infection. We like the biotin supplement from Nature's Bounty, as it bolsters nail health from the inside out. It can be caused by fungal, bacterial, or viral infections, inflammatory disorders, tumors, systemic diseases like endocrine disorders and AIDS, trauma, and nutritional deficiencies. Soak a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it to your nails on hands and feet Rinse it off after 5 minutes with warm water Apply this remedy twice a day to remove yellow nails. In some individuals, nail polish or nail polish remover can also chemically damage the nail plate.". Fungal nail infections. Remember it can take up to a year to completely remove some causes of yellow nails, so the sooner you get started the better. All of these prescriptions take weeks to months to be effective. Soak your nails in the lukewarm water and denture cleaning mix for 10-15 minutes. It's very embarrassing and I never wanted anyone to look. Support wikiHow by In addition to discoloration, you may also notice nails that stop growing, separate from the nail bed or are brittle. Prevent future stains by using a hookah or a metal pipe instead of just holding the cigarette with your hands. That's why nail-strengthening antioxidants, like vitamin E, are beloved in nail care. Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. Youre a nail expert. (One of the many reasons we recommend you toss the cigarettes!) Lambert, E. M., Dziura, J., Kauls, L., Mercurio, M., & Antaya, R. J. These conditions included: Certain medications may also cause nails to turn yellow. But there are things you can try yourself to help repair and, Learn all about dark circles under your eyes. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. So we asked Splichal and Mark Kosinski, DPM, FIDSA, a professor with the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, to explain the various causes of and treatments for color-changing nails as well as how we can prevent them. If your nails are yellow from melanonychia, treatment may involve stopping medication or treating the underlying disease or trauma. If your nails continue to be yellow, there may be something else going on in your body. Be sure to consult a doctor if your yellowed nails do not improve or lessen after trying these methods. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You only want to remove the very top, stained layer of your nail. It's formulated with argan oil, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to strengthen and nourish. Dissolve two or three uncoated aspirin tablets in a bowl of hot water and soak your hands for 15 minutes. White vinegar is one of the most effective products for whitening and cleaning nails. Following are few remedies to get rid of yellow nails that are very efficient. "The dye interacts with the keratin of the nail and causes it to be yellow," she says. John G, Pasche S, Rothen N, Charmoy A, Delhumeau-Cartier C, Genn D. Tobacco-stained fingers: a clue for smoking-related disease or harmful alcohol use? Try to get into the habit of washing your hands with soap and warm water right after you finish smoking. Research even shows vitamin E can help support a healthy, fresh nail color 4. What Causes Nails To Yellow? (2007). Fungal infections may require antifungals. Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology. For more tips, including how to prevent your fingers from getting stained by nicotine, read on! Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Yes, smoking can cause yellow nails. A typical cause of yellow nails is using a dark shade of nail polish. When a fungal infection, like athlete's foot3 occurs in the nail, it leads to a thickening of the nail plate and accumulation of debris beneath it, both of which can lead to a yellow hue, Maiman says. You can repeat this process three times a day for up to a month. Use a nail brush to layer the paste on your affected nails. The sandpaper from a matchbox will also work. Published 2013 Nov 7. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003304. Never stop taking a medication without first talking with a healthcare provider. References Her work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and StyleCaster. Doctors may even need to prescribe oral and/or topical treatments in some cases, so it's really worth the trip. Rotate your nail to the left and right to make sure youre also buffing the sides of your nail, not just the top, middle section. Sometimes yellow nails are a symptom of a bigger issue. If your nails are discolored because of a bacterial infection or fungus, tea tree oil is any easy treatment you can try. Toenail Discoloration, Fungus & Treatments, Causes of Toenail Pain and Treatment Options, How Psoriatic Arthritis Affects the Hands, 12 nail changes a dermatologist should examine, Melanonychia: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, Tobacco-stained fingers: a clue for smoking-related disease or harmful alcohol use? (2003, February), doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.03.035, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/prevention/con-20019319, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/basics/symptoms/con-20019319, health.harvard.edu/skin-and-hair/toenail-problems, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Causes of Terrys Nails and How to Treat Them, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Permanently. (2015, July 21). at my hands. In rare situations, yellow nails can indicate the presence of skin cancer. It can also mean that your nails have been stained by a product like nail polish, or that youre having an allergic reaction. Alternatively, you could also create a soak by adding the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix into about 1 cup of water, and soaking your nails for about 5-10 minutes. Many things can cause yellow nails. Not to mention, this condition can also be hereditary, although it's pretty rare. Yellow isn't a frightening color until the hue invades your toenails. For example, with a rare disease called yellow nail syndrome, other symptoms include respiratory problems, chronic sinusitis, and lower limb swelling. See your physician if home remedies arent helpful in eliminating discoloration. Peroxide and baking soda . I use a nail file every day; this does help keep it at bay but sometimes, "I'm a pack-a-day smoker, and I was beginning to get nicotine stains on my pointer and middle fingers. 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