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In good health, the nail has a transparent coloring, and the underlying vascularity gives it a slightly pinkish appearance. The change in my nail color is a sign of ailment. There are several causes causing the appearance of yellow nails. However, most of the time it is due to onychomycosis or nail fungus.
According to a recent study, about 3% to 4% of the world’s population have problemsonychomycose. A yeast infection is an infection of the nails causing the yellow discoloration.
It is caused by fungi. They are microscopic organisms that thrive in hot, humid and dark environments. There, where there are dead cells since they feed on them. Nail fungus is not just a cosmetic problem, it is a treatable disease.
Why are our nails turning yellow
Before moving on to the tips that I have gleaned, I suggest that you review the main causes of yellowed nails. The list below includes the “outside” elements that can cause yellow nails.
- Cigarette. Smokers are the first to be affected. If your fingernails and fingers are yellow and you smoke, look no further, nicotine is the cause of your problem.
- Exposure to chemicals. If you handle chemicals in your job without proper protection, you can end up with yellow fingernails. Likewise, if you have yellow nails shortly after changing your household product, the cause may lie in your cleaning products.
- Nail polish. If you use nail polish regularly, it can cause yellowing of the nails over time.
Yellowing of the nails can also have medical causes.
- Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- A buildup of fluids in your tissues
- Some drugs
- Lung disease
- Nail fungus
I am going to dwell for a moment on the famous yeast infection. First of all because it is a very common disease. A study recently concluded that 3% to 4% of the world’s population suffer fromonychomycose, yeast infection that causes yellowing of the nails. Then, it is the only disease for which homemade tips can be of any help.
For all other illnesses, I strongly recommend that you contact your doctor. But when it comes to yeast infection, yellow nails can be treated much the same as if they are caused by “external” causes.
Symptoms of nail fungus
Toenail fungus causes cosmetic damage to the nails. Usually the infection starts in the microscopic cracks on the top of the nail and spreads to the nail bed.
First of all, there is a white and yellowish discoloration of the nail. If the disease is not treated at this stage, the nail turns yellowish and brown in color.
Finally, the nail begins to crumble and thicken. At a later stage, the nail may come off partially or entirely. There are many symptoms of onychomycosis, including: uwhite, yellowish and brown coloring of the nail, hardening, formation of deposits under the nailrough, brittle and easily cracked nails as well as deformation.
For a reliable diagnosis, it is recommended to consult your doctor or a dermatologist.
Treat your nails like your teeth
There are many products available to restore yellow nails to normal color. But instead of buying them, you could fix your little problem with products you already have in your home – dental health products.
Toothbrush and toothpaste
The idea may seem simplistic and yet it works very well. Apply a thin layer of whitening toothpaste to a soft bristled toothbrush. You just need to brush your nails as you would your teeth. Wash your hands and using a cotton swab, spread some olive, argan or castor oil. Repeat the operation daily until you find nails with normal coloring.
If you smoke, avoid grilling one right after the treatment, the effects of the treatment will be greatly compromised.
Teeth whitening strip
The most complicated, or should I say the most tedious, is to cut the strips for each nail. Otherwise, just follow the directions on the box. The big disadvantage of this method, however, remains its price. The results are amazing and relatively quick if you accept the cost.
Using denture cleaning tablets
If you have some at home, why not give it a try? These tablets usually contain sodium bicarbonate and citric acid which are both natural stain removers. Put lukewarm water in a bowl and throw in two or three denture cleaning tablets. Let your fingers soak for about fifteen minutes.
After the fifteen minutes have passed, use moisturizer for your hands. Repeat this three times a week. It may take a month or two for your yellow nails to be a bad memory.
You Listerine
Unlike the previous three methods, this one can treat some fungal infections. Listerine contains active ingredients like menthol, methyl salicylate, eucalyptol and thymol. These ingredients all have antifungal properties that can help you get rid of a yeast infection.
If your toenails are affected, you will need a bowl and enough Listerine to coat your toenails. For your hands, a small bowl will do. You should let your nails soak in undiluted Listerine for half an hour. Do this every other week until your nails look normal again.
To decrease the cost of the treatment without decreasing its effectiveness, you can use half the Listerine and compensate with white vinegar. You can soak for half an hour every day until you get the desired results.
If you see the skin on your fingers turning a green or blue tint, don’t worry, it will go away on its own.
Treat yellow nails with what you might find in your kitchen
Lemon and baking soda
This remedy is as simple as it is inexpensive. I suggest you watch the following video to see how to do it.
Essential oils
You could also use essential oils to remedy your problem. Tea tree oil, for example, has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that make it a natural fungicide. You could also use grape oil or thyme oil. You just need to massage your nails daily with one of the essential oils mentioned above.
Cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid and acetic acid which help reduce yellowing of the nails. It also has antifungal properties. The advantage of apple cider vinegar is that it helps strengthen and stimulate nail growth, at the same time reducing the duration of treatment.
Soak your nails in a mixture of half a cup of lukewarm water and half a cup of apple cider vinegar for about 20 minutes. Repeat this three times a day for three to four weeks.
Orange peel
The vitamin C in orange peel can also help you get rid of yellow spots on your nails. You just need to rub your nails with orange peel two to three times a day for a few weeks.
This method is not recommended if your problem is caused by a yeast infection, as it will not address the source of the problem.
Juniper berries
Known for centuries for its disinfectant properties, juniper berries effectively treat nails that have turned yellow due to a fungal infection. Crush the equivalent of a teaspoon of juniper berries and pour the fruit into a bowl of hot water.
Let your nails soak for about fifteen minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and use moisturizer. You will need to follow this ritual once a day for several months.
To get rid of yellow toenails (caused by yeast infection)
White vinegar
To overcome yellow toenail problems caused by yeast infection, it is advisable to treat the base of the infected nail regrowth with two or three drops of white vinegar.
If you don’t have a dropper, you can use a cotton swab dipped in vinegar. It is recommended to do this application twice a day; especially morning and evening.
From two months of treatment, we can see a normal nail regrowth from the base. This treatment should be continued until the infected nail is completely removed from the body.
It takes at least six months or more for the case of a toenail. Even if you feel like everything is better, it is important to do not interrupt treatment. It is necessary to wait until the infected part of the nail is completely eliminated by natural regrowth.
It is also necessary to treat the part of the nail that grows back so as not to infect it. Do not reduce the number of applications even after a few months of treatment.
Natural antifungal solutions
There are different types of antifungal solutions on the market. Often times, it is a mixture of several essential oils combined. Tea tree oil is frequently found there. A classic in the fight against all fungal infections of the candida type.
Like the other treatments, it is recommended to continue the application for a long time. Hey yes, the fungus of the feet is not very serious but it takes sometimes months to get rid of it.
We particularly appreciate the Yoffee Clear solution based on tea tree and argan oil.
Click here to discover this solution against foot fungus
The oils essential
To treat nail fungus with natural remedies, you can also use thyme oil, grape oil or even tea tree oil. They are considered soothing, moreover they are very effective and do not produce any undesirable effects.
As mentioned above, tea tree oil is almost obligatory against yeast infections:
Click here to discover tea tree oil
Bonus: Another effective natural remedy for treating nail and foot fungus:
On washed and dried feet, apply to the nails affected by cotton wool soaked in apple cider vinegar, preferably before going to bed at night. Repeat this application every day until complete regrowth of a healthy nail.
As with the treatment with white vinegar, it can also take between two to six months depending on the growth of your nails and the part to be treated.
You can also massage your affected nails with tea tree essential oil. Indeed, the latter is known for its effectiveness in treating nail fungus.
Do you have any good tips for treating yellow nails?