Yellow Nails

Nails can tell you a lot about your overall health. It is said that your nail is a reflection of your internal health, therefore, if you are having yellow nails then there are chances that your body is sending signals which need immediate attention.

Possible causes for yellow nails:
- staining from nail polish
- paint nails without base coat
- an infection or nail fungus
- you’re having an allergic reaction
- as a symptom of chronic lung conditions, internal malignancies, lymphatic obstructions, or even rheumatoid arthritis
- The nicotine from cigarettes
- Eating certain foods like Turmeric
- Harsh chemicals. Cleaning products, hair dyes, strong acetone, acrylics all contain chemicals that might cause yellowing of nails.

The solutions for lightening your yellow nails depend on the reason why they became discoloured in the first place. That being said, it’s worth trying out a couple of methods for the best results.

Because everyone’s nails are different, some may not do a great job, while others may work wonders.

- Always use a base coat. Not only does a base coat increase the life of your nail polish, but it also seals and protects the nail plates from staining.
- Lemon Juice. Soak your nails in the lemon juice for few minutes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda. Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and apply the mixture to your nails with a cotton swab and keep it on for three minutes.
- Light Buffing. Gently buff the top layer of your nails. Be careful though, because removing too much of the nail will weaken it.
- Tea tree can help in nail fungus. Put a drop of tea tree oil onto your nail beds, leave it to settle for a couple minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
- Wear rubber gloves if your hands are often in water or you regularly use cleaning products.

Look for a professional advice from a GP if none of the above helps.