Have your fingernails or toenails acquired a yellowish hue and you're not sure why? There are several causes that can produce this abnormal colour of your nails, many of them related to health issues. Knowing the origin of a problem helps to find the best way to treat it and prevent it from happening again. At OneHowTo.com we'll help you maintain healthy feet and hands, so continue reading this article about the causes of yellow nails.
One of the most common causes of a yellowing of the nails is the use of poor quality nail enamels. Also, dark or brightly coloured enamels contain a higher amount of a chemical called formaldehyde, causing the nails to become yellowed if you don't protect them before. Therefore, it's advisable to thoroughly clean your nails before painting them and applying a layer of nail hardener. Also, for a natural nail polish, learn how to make it at home.
Related to what we mentioned previously, wearing the same nail polish for a long time, regardless of the colour and quality of the enamel, can cause a change in the natural colour of the nails, due to not being able to breathe properly as a result.
Smokers are more likely to have a yellowish hue to their nails. In general, this fact is evident on the hand that holds the cigarette, due to the constant contact of the fingertips and nails with cigarette smoke. The various chemical components affect the colour of the nails, fingers and teeth, making them yellow and in the worst case grey.
One of the most common symptoms of hepatitis A, B, C and D, above all, is a discoloration of the nails and whites of the eyes, resulting in a yellowish hue. If you notice that in addition to your nails, the whites of your eyes are also changing colour, go to a doctor who will perform the appropriate tests and find out if you really suffer from this disease.
Finally, fungal infections also tend to cause this abnormality in the colour of your nails. Especially the emergence of fungus in its first phase leads to a yellowing of the nails, whether it occurs in the feet or the hands. However, this isn't the only indication. To know if this really is the cause of your yellow nails, look out for other symptoms, such as deformation. Read our article on how to know if you have foot fungus and learn about all of the symptoms.
As you can see, the causes of yellow nails are varied, so it may be both due to factors related to the products you use, as well as to serious health problems. If you suspect that the origin of the change in nail colour could be due to the appearance of fungus or hepatitis, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible.
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