Get Rid of Yellow Toenails
Once the weather gets warmer and people get comfortable in sandals, flip-flops, and open toed shoes, it's time to make sure your toenails are in order. While there are a lot of potential reasons why your nails might get yellow, preventing and cleaning your toenails is easy.
Contents
Steps
Cleaning Yellow Toenails
- Know that yellow toenails are usually the result of a fungal infection. Fungus thrives in humid environments with a high pH, making a sweaty sock the perfect place to start a colony. Fungal infections usually come with other symptoms as well, such as thicker or brittle nails, as well as crumbling and flaking. Less common, but alternate reasons for yellow toenails include:
- Frequent use of nail polishes, which leave some dye on your toenails.
- Diabetes.
- Yellow Toenail Syndrome, which is genetic.
- Lymphedema (chronic leg swelling).
- Try anti-fungal creams for mild cases. If you nail is not brittle or chipping, you may be able to fight the infection with an over-the-counter cream. Two of the most popular are Mycocide NS and Nonyx Nail Gel, which require you to apply the product twice a day for several weeks.
- See your doctor or podiatrist for prescription medicine. While there are some over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, you will usually need to see a professional to get a cream strong enough to fight the fungus under your toenail. Common drugs include:
- Cicloprox (generic name), Zetaclear, Sporanox, and Lamisil.
- Know that treating a fungal infection takes time. You need to kill the entire colony to get rid of the infection or it will simply come back. Keep up treatment until you are sure the infection is gone, and be patient. It may take several months.
- If your toenails are still yellow or flaky after several weeks, make another appointment with a podiatrist.
- Have the toenail surgically removed if you can no longer walk without pain. This should be used as a last resort, as it can take up to a year for a new nail to grow back. However, if you cannot comfortably live your life it may be best to remove the nail and move on.
Preventing Yellow Toe Nails
- Quit smoking. Smoking causes discoloration of skin, nails, and hair and cutting smoking may be the fastest way to return your nails to their original color.
- Use less nail polish. Nail polish will stain your nails and prevent them from getting oxygen, which can lead to an infection later on. Take a few days a week to leave your nails bare. This will keep them healthy.
- Change out of wet, dirty socks. This is a breeding ground for fungus. If you are sitting around in damp and nasty socks you are asking for an infection, so take the time to put on dry, clean socks whenever you can.
- Wear breathable shoes. Sneakers, open-toed shoes, and most exercises shoes are made of mesh or breathable material that allows airflow around your toes, which is essential for healthy toenails.
- Clean your toes and feet when you shower. Don't forget to scrub your toes and toenails whenever you wash up to remove bacteria, fungus, and dirt. Make a conscious effort to remember your feet in your hygiene routines.
Home Remedies for Yellow Toenails
- Make a homemade anti-fungal spread. Pour 2 ½ tbsp. baking soda into a small bowl and add 1 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide. Mix well then use a cotton ball to dip into your mixture. Apply to your toenails. Let it set for 5 minutes, then rinse well. Repeat daily.
- You can also use baking soda or hydrogen peroxide separately if you only have one. Simply mix it in with a small bowl of warm water and then apply.
- Use a vinegar bath. Mix 3 parts water with 1 part vinegar in a large bowl. Soak your feet in the bath for 4-5 minutes once a day to lower the pH in your toes and fight fungus.
- Use lemon juice to fight discoloration. Soaking your nails in lemon juice will get rid of yellow stains. Soak your nails for 10-15 minutes each day until you are happy with the results.
- Try whitening toothpaste. In order to get rid of immediate nail stains, like pink nails from red nail polish, try scrubbing a whitening toothpaste on your nails using a nail brush. This, however, is not for long-term stains.
- Try buffing your nails lightly for a temporary solution. The top layer of your nails is where the yellow stains are. By buffing your nails with a light sandpaper you will get rid of the top layers, removing some of the stains. However, buffing your nails is not recommended because it can lead to weaker nails. If you choose to buff your nails, try using a clear strengthening polish after.
Tips
- See a doctor if problems persist.
