“NO” to yellowness! Causes and treatment of yellow nails on the legs

Toe nails that are yellow can be an ugly and worrying problem. This prevalent issue may be a sign of underlying medical issues in addition to impairing the way your feet look.

The first step to a successful treatment for yellow toenails is understanding its causes. Finding the source of the problem can help you find the best solution, whether it’s because of fungus infections, bad hygiene, or even specific lifestyle choices.

This post will examine the numerous causes of yellow nails and provide helpful advice on how to get them back to their original, healthy hue.

Yellow legs on the legs: reason

The causes of yellow toenails and fingernails are comparable. Think about them:

  • The use of poor -quality varnishes. Low-grade varnishes contain toxic elements that penetrate deep into keratin, causing its pigmentation.
  • Neglect of the base coat. The pigment contained in varnishes, including very high-quality ones, colors the nail plate, giving it a yellowish tint. The intensity of the yellowish tint will depend on the saturation of the color. So if you prefer white or soft pink varnish for your nails, etc.p., then the color of the nails is unlikely to change. But shades such as red, burgundy, blue, etc.p. will definitely leave you with a "mark" in the form of a yellow tint.

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  • Wearing tight shoes. Shoes that are not the right size will squeeze your nails and thereby prevent nutrients from reaching them. As a defensive reaction, nails eventually acquire a ribbed texture, become deformed, thicken and turn yellow. As a rule, little fingers and big toes suffer from tight shoes, yellow nails form on them most often.
  • Taking antibiotics. Antibiotics, fighting pathogenic microorganisms, unfortunately, also kill beneficial microflora, which is fraught with a malfunction in the body. Not least of all, this affects the nails. Yellowing of nails is especially often associated with taking tetracycline antibiotics.

Yellow nails can sometimes be irreversibly damaged. It’s normal for some people to have light, creamy nails. In addition, as people age, their nail plates get thicker and more yellow in color.

  • Smoking. You think that nicotine resins only stain the fingers? It turns out that yellowing of the nails can occur with general poisoning of the body with nicotine. If you have a decent smoking history, then over time yellow spots will form on the toenails.
  • Infectious and somatic diseases can also lead to yellowing of the nail plates. Moreover, both directly, causing persistent changes in the body, and indirectly through medications.
  • The most common and most unpleasant reason for the appearance of yellow and white spots on the toenails is fungus. It is not difficult to recognize. The color of the nails changes from whitish to amber-brown. The structure of the nail plates becomes loose. Nails break, "crumble", in advanced cases they become deformed.

Image sourced from gribokivaka.ru

A vexing condition, yellow nails on the feet are frequently brought on by smoking, fungus infections, or the use of dark nail polish without a base coat. Effective treatment, which may involve antifungal creams, improved nail care techniques, and avoiding triggers like harsh chemicals, depends on identifying the underlying cause. You can get your nails back to looking healthy and natural with the correct method.

Methods for treating yellow toenails

First, let’s acknowledge that issues like infectious and chronic diseases call for specialized care. Yellowing of the nails cannot be removed until the disease that is causing them is eradicated. Additionally, a dermatologist must monitor fungus-related nail infections and treat them with specific medications like loceryl, metronidazole, and miconazole. In severe situations where the fungus has spread widely, antibiotic therapy will be necessary.

Avoid trying to apply varnish over fungal-infected nails. Humidity is the ideal habitat for fungi. Additionally, the plate will actively "flourish" under varnish (both regular and gel), as any varnish coating that forms will create a moist "pocket" if the nails are infected with fungus, making it impossible to dry the plate. Consequently, after covering up the flaw for a while, the illness will become more apparent.

In other non-specific cases, common household remedies can help manage toenail yellowing. Let’s take a closer look at them.

  • The most effective ways to eliminate yellowness are baths containing bleaching components. It is enough to fill a small container with warm water and add lemon juice to it (in a proportion of 1 tbsp.l. per 1 l. water) or tea tree oil (1 tsp.l. per 1 liter. of water). You should keep your legs in this “solution” for at least 20 minutes. Course 2 weeks every other day.

Image sourced from lisavika.ru

  • Softening baths based on soda and chamomile do a good job of dealing with yellowness. And then wash your nails thoroughly with regular toilet soap. In soft water, yellowness is easier to “wash off”. Procedure duration: 20-30 min. Course: 2 weeks, daily.

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  • If the problem has affected not all nails, and, say, a yellow nail has formed on the big toe, then you can use point rubbing with lemon juice or a weak vinegar solution. In the case of “working” with vinegar, it is even better to use rice or apple. They are not so concentrated, and they will not need to be diluted. Acids are applied to a cotton pad, which is gently rubbed onto yellowed areas. It is advisable not to wash your feet for an hour afterward. The procedure can be performed daily until the yellowness disappears completely.

Image sourced from beautimy.ru

  • Also, as a local effect, it is good to use paste-like products based on the same lemon juice (or a weak vinegar solution) and soda. Proportion – 1.4 h.l. acids per 1 t.l. soda. The formed paste gently rub into the yellowed places. Soda will act as a soft abrasive, and lemon (acetic acid) lighten the inner layers of the nail plate. The procedure should be performed every other day. In about a week, the yellowness will do.

Image sourced from Postila.ru

Cause Treatment
Toenail fungus Use antifungal creams or oral medications as prescribed by a doctor.
Improper nail care Keep nails clean and dry. Trim nails regularly and avoid cutting them too short.
Staining from nail polish Use a base coat before applying nail polish. Remove polish regularly and let nails breathe.
Medical conditions (e.g., diabetes) Consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Exposure to harsh chemicals Wear gloves when handling chemicals and use moisturizing treatments to protect nails.

Leg yellow nails can be an annoying and embarrassing condition, but the first step in receiving effective treatment is figuring out what causes them. You can take proactive steps to restore the natural color of your nails by identifying factors such as smoking, using specific nail products, or fungal infections.

The best ways to prevent and treat yellow nails are to practice good hygiene, wear breathable shoes, and use antifungal treatments when needed. It’s crucial to stay away from harsh chemicals that can exacerbate nail damage and to think about leading a healthier lifestyle that will improve the general health of your nails.

Consulting a healthcare professional is a prudent course of action in the event that home remedies prove ineffective. They can offer focused care and assist in addressing any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the yellow nails.

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