It’s no secret that your toenails can naturally yellow as you age. Their shape, thickness, and overall look won’t always be the same. However, some people may begin to notice that their toenails are beginning to rapidly turn yellow and ask: what causes yellow toenails?
This is understandably a cause for concern. To answer what causes yellow toenails, let’s take a look at four common contributors.
Underlying Health Problems
In some cases, an underlying health problem could be contributing to your yellow toenails. Thyroid disease can contribute to your nail issues. You may experience yellowing, thickening, and crumbling at the edge of your nails. In other people, diabetes is the cause of their yellowing nails.
The coloring develops as a result of the breakdown of sugar in the body. This breakdown has a direct result on your body’s collagen, which directly affects the health of your nails.
The imbalances in your blood sugar cause glucose to attaches to collagen proteins. This interaction changes your toenail from its normal shade to yellow.
While this type of coloring isn’t harmful, patients with diabetes need to watch for signs of a fungal infection. Those with diabetes are much more likely to get fungal infections in their toenails that cause them to turn yellow and become extremely brittle.
Genetics
Although it is rare, your genetics may play a big role in your yellow toenails. A rare condition called yellow nail syndrome could run in your family. Not only will your nails be yellow, but they will grow slowly and can easily become detached from the nail bed.
To diagnose this condition, a toenail clipping is needed to rule out a fungal infection. Blood work and a physical examination will help to determine if you have yellow nail syndrome.
Vitamin Deficiency
Vitamin deficiency and malnutrition and affect both the growth and coloring of your nails. If you have any vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, try to take supplements to correct the deficit. Over time, these supplements should correct your deficiency and get your nails back to their original luster and shine.
A Fungal Infection
As we mentioned earlier, fungal infections are directly related to the discoloration of toenails.
Fungus loves to make its home in warm, dark, and wet areas.
We often wear shoes and socks all day, trapping moisture in between our toes. Or, you may live in a humid area and leave your shoes outside at the end of a long day.
In addition to this, patients who experience poor circulation in their feet and toes will find it even harder to fight infection once it’s begun.
Should You Visit Canyon Oaks For Help With Yellow Toenails?
Your foot health is very important, and Canyon Oaks can help! If you suspect that there is a more complex problem with your nails, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our Fresno office is ready to get you back to optimal foot health.
Fill out our online contact form, and a member of our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
