What causes yellow nails and how to cure this problem

Clean, well- polished nails are always appreciated. If you have yellow, unhygienic nails then it will not only affect your health but will also create a bad impression on someone you meet for the first time. A lot of people don’t realize how and why their nails have turned yellow or brittle which can also be a sign of an underlying disease. It is said that your nail is a reflection of your internal health, therefore, if you are having yellow and dirty nails then there are chances that your body is sending signals which need immediate attention.

Reasons for yellowing of nails:

Yellowing of nails can be due to several reasons, sometimes certain foods leave a stain on your nails which makes the appearance yellow over time.

Turmeric
Turmeric can be one such spice which is responsible for leaving a yellow tinge on your nails. We tend to eat food with our hands and most Indian foods contain turmeric which directly comes in contact with your nails on a daily basis. Slowly the stain starts to build-up and makes the natural white colour of your nail darker with time.

Soda

Sometimes using too much soda can affect your nail’s health. Soda has natural bleaching property which is used to fade the darker colours. If your fingernails get in touch with harsh soda on a regular basis, they become brittle and start showing some kind of discolouration. In the long run, can lead to frequent nail eruptions and yellowing.

Chemicals
Most of the time, women get carried away with various offers that sell nail paints and removers on dirt cheap prices. These nail products which are manufactured locally might contain harsh chemicals like concentrated acetone and alcohol which can have an adverse effect on your nail’s health. Using such products can permanently leave stains on your nail and also trigger reactions and allergies.

Diseases
In severe cases, yellowing of nails can be blamed on certain diseases such as thyroid, psoriasis or diabetes. A medical condition which is referred to as yellow nail syndrome is mostly seen in people who suffer from lymphatic issues.

How to get rid of yellow nails naturally:

In order to get rid of the yellowness and promote healthy nail growth, you need to first correct the already caused damage. For that, you need to take proper and regular care of your nails by cleaning them with mild soap and then moisturizing them with either coconut oil or almond oil on a daily basis. These oils will provide nourishment and help in adding the lost luster back to the nails. If you have fungal or allergic reactions then using tea-tree oil might help in curing the infection.Tea-tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Apart from that, you need to include a lot of keratin and biotin enriched foods in your diet, such as eggs, omega-3 fatty acids, blueberries, almonds, oysters, red meat and avocados.

If these home remedies are not helping you, it is suggested to meet a physician for help.