Several factors that can cause your nails to take on a yellowish tinge. In some cases, that yellow glow is the sign of a serious health problem or fungal infection, so if your nails have suddenly taken on a yellowish hue, check with your doctor to make sure nothing's wrong. If you get the all-clear health-wise, your yellow nails are a cosmetic problem that should be easy to clear up.
Step 1
Squeeze fresh lemon juice from one or two lemons into a little water in a bowl. Soak your fingernails in the lemon juice for 10 to 15 minutes. The lemon juice will bleach the yellow tint and make your nails appear whiter. Repeat as needed
Step 2
Dissolve a denture tablet in water that is slightly cooler than room temperature. Soak your fingernails in the denture tablet mixture for 10 to 15 minutes to help bleach away stubborn yellow stains.
Step 3
Skip nail polish, especially if you usually wear dark colored polish. Nail polish can stain your fingernails, leaving a yellow residue. It also blocks your fingernails' access to oxygen, which can result in discoloration.
Step 4
Paint your nails with a coat of clear nail polish or specialty base coat before applying colored polish when you do use polish. The clear polish will provide a protective barrier that may help prevent the polish from staining your nails.
Step 5
Stop smoking if you do smoke. Smoking cigarettes can cause your fingers and fingernails to take on a yellowish tint.
Tips and Warnings
- Discolored nails can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies of iron and zinc. Liver, red meat, seafood, beans and greens are all good sources of iron. Meat, dairy products, whole grains and peanuts are good sources of zinc.
- Yellow nails may be a side effect of a serious health problem. In some cases, yellow nails may be caused by diabetes mellitus, injury to the median or ulnar nerve, jaundice or amyloidosis.
Things You'll Need
- Lemon juice
- Denture tablets
- Clear nail polish
References
- Medline Plus: Nail Abnormalities
- "Fast Beauty: 1,000 Quick Fixes"; Rona Berg; 2005
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