Is the color of your toenails worrying you? Does the thought of going barefoot in public make you shudder? Yellow toenails are usually an indication of an infection or fungus. Onychomycosis or tinea unguium is a fungal infection of toenails, and around 10 percent(1) of the general population suffers from it. If you are wondering how to get rid of yellow toenails, then read on.
Looking for an effective yellow toenails home remedy? Try the ones listed below:
Baking soda has been making the news for being a potent home remedy for a number of conditions.
Baking soda not only helps in exfoliating the skin to lighten yellow toenails, but it can also impart anti-fungal(2) properties which help in treating toenail fungus.
Try this remedy once a day.
[ Read: Get Rid of Yellow Nails Naturally ]
Everyone has Vicks VapoRub lying around in their house. But did you know that apart from curing a cold, it can also help with yellowed toenails?
Vicks VapoRub is composed of anti-infective such as thymol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. These ingredients can cure onychomycosis(3), a common cause of toenail discoloration.
Apply Vicks VapoRub once or twice a day.
Certain essential oils can be helpful with yellow toenails treatment. These oils include:
Tea tree oil possesses a host of health benefits for anybody using it regularly. Learn how you can use it to get rid of yellow toenails.
Since tea tree oil has amazing antifungal and antibacterial properties, it can successfully treat discoloured nails and fungus.
Follow this regime once or twice a day.
[ Read: Essential Oils for Toenail Fungus ]
Oregano oil is extracted from oregano – the flavorful Mediterranean herb.
Oregano oil possesses antimicrobial and antifungal(4) properties and can be used to treat nail fungus and enhance the look of your toenails.
Apply this twice or thrice a day to notice an improvement in the colour of your toenails.
[Also Read: Natural Remedies to Cure Ingrown Toenails]
Looking for foods that can help you treat yellow toenails? Try these!
A few cloves of garlic could give your yellow toenails a much-needed makeover!
Ajoene, a bioactive compound present in garlic bears antimycotic properties(5). As a result, it can target the root cause behind the yellowing of your toenails.
To register a noticeable change in your toenails, follow this remedy at least twice a day.
[ Read: Get Rid of Thick Toenails Naturally ]
Lemon juice will not only eliminate any odour from your feet but can also help in sprucing up your toenails. Here’s how to whiten yellow toenails with the help of lemons:
Lemon(6) is a natural astringent and a powerful bleaching agent. Hence, it is capable of removing the yellow colouration over your nails.
You can try it once or twice daily to get rid of yellow toenails.
For thick, yellow toenails you may need to prepare a soak that could help. Here’s how to cure yellow toenails with a few soaks:
Do you want to know how to get rid of yellow toenails? An ACV or apple cider vinegar soak can help you with it.
Apple cider vinegar has antifungal effects as it lowers the pH, making the environment acidic and unsuitable for bacteria and fungi.
Try this remedy at least once a day.
[ Read: Benefits of ACV Foot Soak ]
Learn how to fix yellow toenails with the help of hydrogen peroxide:
The effervescent nature of hydrogen peroxide imparts exfoliating properties to the soak, which helps with the discolouration of toenails. Further, hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antifungal(7) agent, and its bioactive compounds can help with the elimination of toenail infection.
Follow this routine once a day.
Now that you know how to whiten your toenails, try out the remedy that is best suited for you. However, if the infection persists, make it a point to consult a doctor, as infections can worsen over time. Normally, you will notice a change in your toenails in about 3 to 4 days itself.
[ Read: Foot Soak for Toenail Fungus ]
Here are a few commonly asked questions with regard to yellow toenails:
Here’s a list of some possible causes behind yellow toenails:
In some individuals, conditions like diabetes could impart a yellow colouration to the toenails. This is due to the breakdown of sugar, which affects the collagen present in the nails. While it is usually harmless, it could also be an indication of an underlying condition.
Here a few tips for nail care, which can possibly prevent the yellowing of toenails: