Noah Sinclair
Yellowing and brittle nails can be caused by a number of factors, including vitamin deficiencies, fungal infections, thyroid disease, diabetes, psoriasis, and wearing nail polish. In this article, we will explore the possible causes of yellowing and brittle nails and provide advice on how to treat and prevent this condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Yellowing and brittle nails | Vitamin deficiencies and other nutritional problems |
| Dye in nail lacquer interacting with keratin | |
| Acetone nail polish remover | |
| Fungal infection | |
| Thyroid disease | |
| Diabetes | |
| Psoriasis |
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What You'll Learn
Yellow nails can be caused by wearing nail polish, especially darker shades
Yellowing and brittle nails can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble.
Yellow nails can also be caused by wearing nail polish, especially darker shades. The dye in the nail lacquer interacts with the keratin of the nail, causing a yellow discoloration and brittleness. Acetone nail polish remover can worsen the yellowing by giving the dissolved nail polish a chance to bond to your nails.
To prevent yellow nails from happening, apply a clear base coat before your polish and switch up your go-to colours so you're not using dark polishes as often. If your nails are already yellow, the best way to get them back to normal is to take a break from polish and allow the stained portions to grow out.
In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
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Yellow nails can be a symptom of thyroid disease
Yellow nails can also be caused by fungal infections. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. People with diabetes are also more prone to getting fungal nail infections. However, it is important to note that yellow nails can be caused by other factors as well, such as vitamin deficiencies and other nutritional problems. To diagnose the exact cause of yellow nails, it is best to consult a healthcare provider, usually a dermatologist, who can examine your nails and take a detailed medical history.
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Yellow nails can be a symptom of diabetes
Yellow nails can also be a symptom of thyroid disease, which can cause nail thickening and onycholysis (nails that separate from the nail bed). Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease, and the condition can also cause nail changes such as thickening and crumbling of the nail plates, brittleness and slow growth.
Fungal nail infections are another common cause of yellow nails. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble.
To diagnose the cause of yellow nails, a healthcare provider (usually a dermatologist) will examine your nails and take a detailed medical history, including symptoms and any medications or health conditions you have.
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Yellow nails can be caused by a fungal infection
People with diabetes are also more prone to getting fungal nail infections. Around 40% of people with diabetes have a yellow tint to their nails, though the reasons are unclear. Psoriasis is a skin condition that can cause nail changes including discoloration and pitting.
To diagnose the cause of your yellow nails, a healthcare provider (usually a dermatologist, a doctor specialising in skin and nails) will examine your nails and take a detailed medical history, including symptoms and any medications or health conditions you have.
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Yellow nails can be a symptom of psoriasis
Yellowing and brittle nails can be caused by vitamin deficiencies and other nutritional problems. However, yellow nails can also be a symptom of a health problem that affects another part of the body. For example, thyroid disease can cause yellowing of the nail plates, as well as nail thickening and onycholysis (nails that separate from the nail bed).
Yellow nails can also be a symptom of psoriasis, a skin condition that can cause nail changes including discoloration and pitting. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming thick, silvery scales and dry, cracked skin. The extra skin cells form raised, red patches that are often covered by silvery scales. These patches, called plaques, usually appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet, but they can also occur on the nails.
Nail changes associated with psoriasis include nail pitting, which appears as small indentations or pits in the nails. Nails may also become thickened, ridged, and brittle, and they may crumble or separate from the nail bed (onycholysis). In some cases, the nails may become discoloured, appearing yellow, brown, or green.
If you are experiencing yellow, brittle nails, it is important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. A dermatologist, a doctor specializing in skin and nails, can examine your nails and take a detailed medical history, including any symptoms, medications, or health conditions you may have. They can then recommend appropriate treatment options to address the underlying cause of your nail changes.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a fungal infection, or a sign of thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
Thickening and onycholysis (nails that separate from the nail bed).
As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble.
Yes, the dye in the nail lacquer interacts with the keratin of the nail, causing a yellow discoloration and brittleness.
