Healthy nails are transparent. The skin directly under the nail is pinkish, and the hard part that covers the nail bed is smooth, without ridges or stains. The state of your nails and their colour are signs that reveal your health and your lifestyle. Dermatologists can tell just by looking at your nails if something is lacking in your diet, if you are a smoker or if you suffer from health problems. And no, they aren’t psychic. Among the most common nail problems are yellow nails. Here arethe main causes and the solutions to overcome this problem.
The cause may be your lifestyle habits
Yellow nails are common among smokers. Not only do some people have yellow nails, but their fingers are also yellow. With time, women who are nail polish aficionados may notice a slight yellow tinge to their nails. Neither case is caused by a disease, but rather the consequence of a lifestyle habit.
A health problem?
Yellow nails can occur because of disease or health conditions as well. A doctor can diagnose the cause and suggest treatment solutions to successfully eliminate the discoloration. According to The Canadian Dermatology Association, the yellowing of your nails may be due to:
- A fungal infection of the nail, which is a common condition
- The use of certain medications
- Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- Lung disease
- The build-up of lymphatic fluid in the tissue
Getting rid of yellow nails
To finally do away with your yellow nails, determine the cause and apply the proper solution:
- If you are a smoker or are somewhat addicted to painting your nails, soak your nails in a mixture of warm lemon juice and olive oil for 10 minutes. Repeat now and again.
- Another trick is to make a paste with 2 ½ tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide (3 per cent). Apply this paste to the nails, keeping it on for three minutes and then removing it with warm water. This treatment should be repeated every two months.
- Treat yourself. Now and again, entrust your nails to the expert care of a technician in a nail salon.
- If you have fears about your yellow nails being the sign of a disease, don’t take any chances. Consult a doctor.
And don’t forget: taking care of your nails is more than just a matter of esthetics. Above all, it is a measure of general hygiene and health.
