Isla Bennett
Yellow nails are a common issue that can be caused by nail polish, nicotine, or fungal infections. While it is usually nothing to worry about, in some cases, it can indicate a more serious underlying health condition. Luckily, there are several home remedies that can be used to treat discoloured nails and restore them to their former brilliance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of yellow nails | Nail polish, nicotine, fungal infections, or other medical conditions |
| Prevention | Apply a base coat before nail polish, avoid dark-colored polish, switch to non-acetone nail polish remover |
| Home remedies | Lemon juice, vinegar soak, tea tree oil, baking soda paste, whitening toothpaste, denture cleaner |
| Application | Rub, soak, or paint the remedy on nails for 5-15 minutes, then rinse and moisturize |
| Caution | Avoid lemon juice on cut or cracked skin, consult a doctor if home remedies are ineffective |
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What You'll Learn
Lemon juice
To use lemon juice for nail whitening, you can simply rub a slice of lemon on your nails for 30 to 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can squeeze some lemon juice into a small bowl and soak your nails in it for about 5 minutes. After soaking your nails, wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturising cream. Repeat this process daily until you notice results.
You can also combine lemon juice with other natural ingredients to create effective nail whitening treatments. For example, you can mix lemon juice with olive oil and massage the mixture into your nails before putting on soft manicure gloves and letting it work overnight. Another option is to mix lemon juice with equal parts salt to create a scrub. Gently scrub your nails with the mixture, leave it on for about 5 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and apply moisturiser.
In addition to whitening your nails, lemon juice can also help prevent discolouration. To prevent discolouration, simply massage your nails with lemon juice and olive oil, or soak your hands in beer.
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Vinegar soaks
Vinegar is an inexpensive and easily accessible remedy for treating various foot ailments, including toenail fungus. It has antifungal properties that make it an effective treatment for people with toenail fungus. It is also a mild exfoliator, so it can be used to treat callouses and warts.
To prepare a vinegar soak, take a bowl of warm water and dissolve one tablespoon of white vinegar in it. Ensure you only use white vinegar for this soak as apple cider vinegar or any other kind of coloured vinegar can stain your nails. Keep your fingertips dipped in the vinegar soak for not more than 5-10 minutes and then rinse your hands with warm water. Finish by applying a moisturising cream.
For toenail fungus, you can soak your feet in a vinegar bath for 10 to 15 minutes daily until the infection subsides. You can gradually increase the duration of the soak. It may take 2 to 3 weeks or longer to see an improvement in symptoms. If your symptoms don't improve or they worsen, you should seek medical attention.
You can also use vinegar to treat other foot problems like callouses, warts, and dry, cracked feet. After soaking, you can use a pumice stone to help remove hardened skin. Additionally, you can apply vinegar directly to the affected areas using a cotton ball.
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Tea tree oil
To use tea tree oil for treating nail fungus, start by preparing your nails. Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water, and dry them completely, especially between your toes. Trim your nails as short as possible and cut away any loose or damaged parts of the nail.
Next, dilute the tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil. Olive oil is a good option as it moisturises cuticles and strengthens nails. Place a few drops of the diluted tea tree oil directly onto the affected nail using a dropper or cotton swab, and gently rub it into the nail and surrounding skin. Make sure it gets under the edges of the nail, where the fungus usually hides. Repeat this process twice a day for at least 1-2 weeks.
Alternatively, you can add five drops of tea tree oil to a half-ounce of carrier oil, mix them, and stir the mixture into a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes a few times a week.
While tea tree oil has been shown to have antifungal properties in test tube studies, the results of human studies are mixed. Some older studies suggest that tea tree oil can effectively treat nail fungus, but newer studies have found it to be ineffective as a primary treatment. However, it may still be useful as a complementary treatment to reduce the amount of traditional medication needed.
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Baking soda
Firstly, you can make a simple paste by mixing one part warm water with one part baking soda. Apply this paste to your fingertips and let it sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. You can also add a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar to the warm water if you like.
Another option is to mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with two to three tablespoons of baking soda to form a paste. Apply this generously to your fingertips and leave for two to three minutes before rinsing and patting dry.
You can also soak your nails in a mixture of baking soda and water for 10 to 15 minutes to help reduce the risk of catching a fungal infection. Simply create a mixture of warm water and baking soda, soak your nails, then rinse and moisturise.
For a more intensive treatment, combine half a cup of baking soda, half a cup of Epsom salt, and a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide in four cups of hot water. After mixing, add a quarter cup of white vinegar and soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes. Rinse your nails with clean water and apply hand cream.
It is important to note that these remedies may not work for everyone, and persistent or severe nail discolouration may be a sign of a more serious issue that requires medical attention.
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Whitening toothpaste
To use this method, start by removing any nail polish with a nail polish remover. You can also use natural alternatives like vodka or hydrogen peroxide. Then, apply a thick layer of whitening toothpaste to each of your nails, covering both the top and underneath the nail tips. It is recommended to use a whitening toothpaste that contains baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, as these ingredients have whitening properties. A white paste, rather than a coloured one, is best for this purpose.
Let the toothpaste sit on your nails for about 10 minutes. You can then use a toothbrush to scrub your nails gently. If you have an old toothbrush, you can use that to scrub the toothpaste into all the nooks and crannies of your nail beds. Rinse your hands with warm water until all the toothpaste is removed.
For stubborn yellow stains, you can repeat this process once or twice a week until your nails are totally white. You can also use diluted hydrogen peroxide as a soak before scrubbing your nails. Combine three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of warm water, and soak your nails in this mixture for about two minutes.
To prevent yellow stains on your nails in the future, always use a base coat before applying nail polish.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several home remedies you can try to whiten yellow nails. These include: lemon juice, white vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, denture cleaner, and whitening toothpaste.
You can rub a slice of lemon on your nails for 30-60 seconds, or dip a cotton swab in lemon juice and run it over your nails. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse your hands with warm water and moisturize.
Mix one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar into a cup of warm water. Soak your nails in the solution for 8-10 minutes, then rinse your hands with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer.
Mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with two and a half tablespoons of baking soda. Apply the paste to your nails and under the tips of your nails using a cotton swab. Leave for 15 minutes, then wash off with soap and water.
If you haven't used nail polish recently and don't have another clear reason for discolored nails, it may be best to consult a physician. Yellow nails can be a sign of a fungal infection or a more serious health condition.
Yes, be cautious when using lemon juice if you have any cuts or cracks in the skin around your nails, as it can sting. Also, be sure to always moisturize after using whitening treatments, as some of these methods can be drying to the skin and nails.
