Yellow toenails can be hard to treat without causing a host of other unsightly issues. For example, simple fixes such as lemon juice to relax and treat your feet do not always remedy something as severe as a yellow toenail. Over time, many remedies — including laser therapy — have been shown to help eliminate the discoloration and restore the white appearance.
Fungal Infections: The most famous reason that yellowing toenails in individuals is caused by a fungal infection, especially the dermatophyte. Most fungi thrive in warm wet areas like damp shoes, which allow the nails to hyper-pigment and then yellow.
Let’s look at the possible causes of this unsightly foot fashion accessory:
The most common cause that leads to yellow nails is toenail fungus: A fungal infection is another common reason behind yellowish nail discoloration. Fungi love to stay in warm, moist areas such as our toenails.
Poor Hygiene: Dirt, along with bacteria, can accumulate if foot hygiene is not kept in check, which can cause discoloration in the toenails.
Excessive Use of Nail Polish: Nail varnishes used without a base coat can cause a stain on the nails — usually they turn yellow if there is a brown color in the polish or the color is too dark or the polish contains a lot of red and yellow pigments.
Diseases: Diseases like diabetes, psoriasis, and other autoimmune diseases can cause yellow toenails.
Some Home Remedies for Whiter Toenails
Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. This paste works as a natural bleaching agent which can help you whiten those yellow toenails.
The acidic nature of lemon works well as a natural bleaching agent and also prevents the growth of fungus.
Mix some fresh lemon juice and soak your toenails in it for about 10-15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. To see visible results, repeat this process daily for a few weeks.
Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal which can be used to combat many fungal infections.
How to apply: Put a few drops of tea tree oil directly on the toenail every night. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before washing it off. Do this every day for a few weeks and see the result.
The pH of apple cider vinegar is slightly acidic, which may help naturally balance the skin’s pH level and improve the protective barrier of the skin. Apple cider vinegar is also rich in natural from downs of other skin-enhancing and healing that can help! Because it’s a great home remedy to help with fungal infections, it’s all about getting back to the basics.
How to use: Mix apple cider vinegar with water in equal portions. Put your feet in this mixture for 15-20 minutes every day if you are not allergic to ACV, then dry your feet thoroughly after that. Note: An apple cider vinegar soak is not suitable for people with diabetes.
For good hygiene and soft feet, apply this soothing soak to your feet:
Teatree oil contains strong antifungal and antibacterial properties that are very effective in treating fungal infections.
How to use: Directly drop some tea tree oil on the affected toenail. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then wash it off. Repeat this process at least two times a day to get better results.
Your doctor might also suggest using an apple cider vinegar soak. The antibacterial properties of vinegar could help fight against various types of foot infections, including bacterial or fungal infections. To help ward off these health risks, soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water once a day.
