What do yellow toenails mean?

Excessive nail polish use or fungal infections are the most likely causes of yellow toenails. However, yellow toenails can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

Nails are typically translucent, with the pinkish flesh underneath clearly visible. However, it is possible for the toenails to turn a shade of yellow. This can happen for several different reasons.

In this article, we look at why toenails might turn yellow and explain how to prevent and treat this symptom.

Causes

Nails primarily consist of a hardened protein called keratin. The same protein also occurs in the hair and skin. Nails comprise multiple parts, including:

·         nail plate — the hard, outer shell

·         nail bed — the flesh underneath the nail plate

·         nail folds — the skin around the nail plate

·         cuticle — the skin tissue covering the base of the nail that protects newly forming keratin

·         lunula — the light-colored semicircle at the base of the nail

Toenails grow as the living cells under the cuticle replicate and push older, dead cells forward. These dead cells form the hardened nail plate that protects the toe.

Part of the toenail turning yellow can be a natural consequence of aging. Changes to the color, thickness, and shape of toenails can occur as a person gets older and should not be cause for concern.

However, yellow toenails can also occur for other reasons, some of which may require treatment. These include:

Infection

If toenails come into contact with a harmful fungus, this can lead to a fungal nail infection called onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis can affect any part of the toenail and may cause it to appear yellow. The infection can also be uncomfortable and make it difficult for a person to walk.

Fungal infections are a common cause of yellow toenails.

Yellow nail syndrome

Yellow nail syndrome is a very rare condition that can cause both fingernails and toenails to turn yellow. The nails may also grow more slowly, lack a cuticle, and damage easily.

Yellow nail syndrome also has more severe symptoms, including respiratory problems and swelling of the lower limbs. The cause of the condition is unknown, but it is more common in people aged over 50.

Nail polish

Excessive use of nail polish can cause toenails to become discolored. In particular, using red, yellow, or orange nail polish can cause the toenails to appear yellow.

Although they may look unpleasant, yellow toenails resulting from too much nail polish are harmless.

Underlying medical conditions

Yellow toenails can develop in some people as a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as:

·         psoriasis

·         tuberculosis

·         thyroid conditions

·         diabetes

·         sinusitis

·         jaundice

In people with these conditions, it is very likely that other symptoms will also occur alongside yellow toenails.

When to see a doctor

Unless the suspected cause is excessive nail polish use, a person with yellow toenails should consider seeing a doctor as they may need a prescription to treat the condition.

This is especially important for people experiencing other symptoms alongside their yellow toenails. These symptoms may include:

·         pain

·         bleeding

·         changes to the shape or thickness of the nail plate

·         swelling

Source: Medical News Today