Having yellow nails can make your confidence decrease. But not only that, yellow nails can also be a sign of illness. Not only nail diseases, but also serious diseases that occur in the body. Yellow nails can occur due to various conditions, ranging from simple ones such as nail care problems to rare syndromes that are quite complicated. However, usually complaints of yellow nails can gradually disappear if the cause is treated. For that, let’s get to know the causes of yellow nails and how to overcome them.
Causes of Yellow Nails
As we age, the color of our nails will change and appear more yellow. However, this yellow nail problem does not only occur in the elderly.
The following things can also cause yellow nails, namely:
- Fungal infections
Poor nail hygiene can lead to fungal infections. One symptom of fungal infection is yellow nails and thickened skin under the nails that can cause the nails to fall off. To prevent your nails from turning yellow, maintain nail hygiene regularly and make sure the tools used to cut nails or beautify nails are really clean. - Lack of vitamin and mineral intake
Yellow nails can also be caused by a lack of vitamin and mineral intake. If caused by this, in addition to yellowing nails, nails will also look dry, brittle, and have an irregular shape. - Nail polish usage
If you often use nail polish, your nails can turn yellow over time. This is because the color pigments in nail polish may be absorbed into the nails and cause them to turn yellow. So, avoid using nail polish too often or rest your nails for a few weeks after using nail polish, so that they can “breathe” for a moment. Yellow nails can also be caused by the use of nail polish remover, especially if the nail polish remover used contains acetone. - Certain diseases
Yellow nails can occur due to certain diseases, such as psoriasis and diabetes. Yellow nails can also be a sign of yellow nail syndrome. This syndrome is a rare condition characterized by 3 symptoms, namely yellow nails, lymphedema, and respiratory disorders.
How to Treat Yellow Nails
Yellow nails can be treated in various ways. And, the treatment must be adjusted to the cause so that the treatment you do can produce maximum results.
Some treatments you can do to treat yellow nails include:
- Hydrogen peroxide
If your yellow nails are caused by excessive use of nail polish, you can overcome it by utilizing hydrogen peroxide. This ingredient can remove stains from nail polish that are absorbed into the nails.
The method is easy, put hydrogen peroxide in warm water and soak your nails. For maximum results, you can add a little baking soda to the water. - Baking soda
In cases of yellow nails caused by fungus, you can use baking soda. Baking soda has alkaline properties, so it can stop the growth of fungus and ultimately make nails brighter.
How to brighten nails with baking soda is quite easy. You only need to soak the feet that have yellow nails in warm water that has been mixed with baking soda. However, one soak cannot immediately brighten the nails, yes. This method must be done several times and regularly. - Tea tree oil
In addition to baking soda, yellow nails caused by fungal or bacterial infections can also be treated with tea tree oil. The method is easy, mix one or two drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil or olive oil, then apply to yellowed nails. - Vitamin E
To restore moisture and health to your nails, try taking advantage of vitamin E. Taking vitamin E supplements or applying vitamin E cream to yellow nails can help stimulate the growth of new, healthier nails.
If the above methods do not solve the yellow nails, there is a possibility that the yellow nails are caused by another condition that cannot be solved by the above methods alone. Don’t worry, the condition is not necessarily dangerous, it is possible that the fungal infection of the nails needs to be treated with a more potent antifungal medication.
However, there is still a possibility that yellow nails are caused by a serious health condition, especially if there are other accompanying complaints. Therefore, if yellow nails cannot be resolved with the methods above or even over-the-counter antifungal drugs, check your condition with a doctor.
