Solutions for Yellow Nails

Q: I want to switch to a sheer nail polish for summer, but my nails are yellow. What’s going on, and what can I do?

A: While they’re not attractive, yellow nails are most often harmless. Here are some common causes and solutions:

Dark nail polishes, such as red, deep purple, and the ever-popular black, can stain your natural nails, leaving them a dingy yellow color even after you’ve removed the polish itself. The longer you leave your polish on, the greater the risk of staining, even if you use a base coat. Lighter polishes can also stain your nails after a few weeks, so it’s a good idea to change your polish every week or two (don’t just add more polish on top), and always apply a base coat first to protect your nails. If the staining is severe, a manicurist can gently buff off the stain, although doing this too frequently can make your nails thin and weak. The good news is that if the staining is caused by polish, the discoloration will eventually grow out with the nail.

Fungus infections can also turn nails yellow. However, often only a few nails are affected, at least at first, and they’re usually thick and crumbly. A dermatologist can do a simple, painless fungal culture to test for infection.

Psoriasis can cause yellow-brown discolored nails, although the discoloration is often accompanied by other nail changes, like lifting of the nail plate, as well as psoriasis rashes on the skin itself.

Yellow nails can also be associated with chronic lung disease — an uncommon condition called yellow nail syndrome, which produces thick, slow-growing, yellow nails on the fingers and toes. The discoloration usually resolves if the lung disease is successfully treated.