How to Get Rid of Yellow Nails, According to Doctors

Get to the Root of the Cause

Thick, brittle, yellow toenails are often caused by a fungal infection known as onychomycosis. "The most common culprit is a dermatophyte known as Trichophyton rubrum," says Kosinski.

Other things can be to blame, too. "Repetitive micro-trauma to the nail (hitting the toenail against the inside of the shoe) can cause the nail, over time, to become brittle and give the appearance of fungus," he says. "Injuring the toenail by stubbing the toe or dropping a heavy object on it can permanently damage the nail-producing cells (known as the nail matrix) and cause the nail to grow thick and wavy. In some individuals, nail polish or nail polish remover can also chemically damage the nail plate."

Don't Overuse Nail Polish

Even a humble nail polish could be to blame for yellowed nails—and therefore should be applied only periodically. "Certain nail polishes contain triphenyl phosphate, toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate," says Splichal, who adds that those are all ingredients that "can weaken and leech the nutrients from the nails." As a result, they become discolored, brittle, and weak. In this case, Splichal says that "keratin or biotin supplements are helpful." We like the biotin supplement from Nature's Bounty, as it bolsters nail health from the inside out. It's formulated with argan oil, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to strengthen and nourish.

The good news is that you don't have to give up nail polish altogether. "I recommend patients use nontoxic nail polishes, such as Dr.'s Remedy, and to take nail polish 'holidays.'" In other words, don't keep your nails lacquered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. (We're talking directly to our fellow polish addicts.) Space out your applications to give your nails a break.

Additionally, the color of your nail polish could actually be staining your nails, according to nail expert Evelyn Lim, and is more likely to happen with colors that are very pigmented. She also recommends applying a base coat to act as a barrier between the nail and the pigment.

Avoid Trauma

If you're suffering from toenail fungus or yellowing of the nails, that great new pair of square-toed boots (or a too-small pair of running shoes) you splashed out for could be the culprit. That, or a stubbed toenail.

"The best way to avoid getting fungus in your nail is to avoid trauma—this means avoiding improperly fitted shoes that cause banging into the shoes or excessive pressure," says Splichal. "Trauma is the number-one cause to nail fungus."

Invest in a Nail-Strengthener

If your nails are damaged (and, by default, yellowing significantly), talk to your doctor about other options. "There is a great product I often recommend called Nuvail, which is designed to make the nails stronger," Splichal says. This solution is applied topically to treat nail fragility and dystrophy like splitting, breaking, and peeling. It's available by prescription only, though, so seeing a medical professional is necessary.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Yellow nails can signify an underlying issue not related to polish or shoe size—namely, diabetes. Obviously, this would call for medical intervention and dietary changes—like eating a diet lower in carbohydrates and higher in healthy fats, vegetables, and proteins—would likely be necessary, as well.

Don't Wait to Seek Help

The best way to get rid of yellowing nails is to diagnose and treat the problem before it's spiraled out of control. "It is important to start treatment early while the area of nail involvement is still small," says Kosinski. "The more extensive the involvement, the more difficult the infection is to treat."

Get a Diagnosis

If you're not sure whether or not fungus is the issue, or maybe you took a nail polish break and the yellow color isn't disappearing, go see a doctor. (That's our motto: When in doubt, ask an MD.) This is important because if your yellow nails are due to fungus, you might need special treatment to completely get rid of it.

"Your doctor can take a (painless) scraping of the affected nail and send it to the lab to tell if your nail problem is indeed caused by a fungus," Kosinski says.

Choose a Treatment Plan

Once you meet with a physician to properly diagnose the underlying cause of yellowing nails, you can then move on to remedying the problem. "If it is a fungus, there are many options for treatment, including laser therapy, topical medication, and pills," says Kosinski. "Your doctor can help you decide which treatment is right for you."

Splichal says her typical regimen for patients involves "both topical and oral as a combination," but every patient is different and could require different interventions.