Yellow Toenails: Causes and How to Get Them Clear

Common causes

1. Fungal infection. The most common cause of yellow, thick, crumbly nails, often starting at the tip or sides. See our toenail fungus guide.
2. Nail polish staining. Dark polish, especially without a base coat, can stain nails yellow. The stain grows out over a few months.
3. Aging. Nails grow more slowly with age and become thicker, more ridged and slightly yellow.
4. Smoking, which stains nails and slows circulation.
5. Psoriasis, which can cause yellow-brown patches, pits and lifting of the nail.
6. Injury, from tight shoes or running, which thickens the nail.
7. Yellow nail syndrome, a rare condition with swelling and breathing problems.

Clues that point to fungus

• The nail is thick, crumbly or lifting from the nail bed
• White or yellow streaks running from the tip toward the base
• A slight smell
• Athlete's foot on the skin between the toes

How to get clearer-looking nails

• Give polish a break and always use a base coat afterwards.
• Keep nails short and filed; thinning a thick nail helps both appearance and treatments.
• Moisturize nails and cuticles with oil daily to reduce brittleness and ridges.
• Treat fungus if it is there, with a daily antifungal product for many months or prescription treatment.
• Stop smoking, which helps nails and circulation.

Our pick for toenail care

Nail Refresh

Combines antifungal essential oils with almond and rosehip oil to soften dry nails, plus bearberry extract used in cosmetics for brightening. · Read our full review

from $39$69per bottle in the 6-pack

Check today's price →Sold by the maker · 180-day money-back guarantee

When to see a doctor

See a doctor or podiatrist if a nail is painful, lifting, bleeding, has a dark streak (which needs checking for melanoma), or if you have diabetes. Yellow fingernails together with swollen legs or breathing problems also need a medical check.