6 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Yellow Nails

Healthy nails not only enhance the appearance of your hands but also indicate good health. Normally, nails are strong and translucent and you can see the pinkish flesh underneath them.

However, many factors can turn your nails yellow and brittle, which is often considered a sign of poor hygiene and underlying illness.

This article discusses the various possible reasons behind yellowing of the nails of your fingers and toes and how to overcome the problem.

# Apply lemon to your nails

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent, which can therefore help whiten the nails. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can fight off fungal infections that cause nail discoloration in the first place.

- Mix 1 tsp of olive oil with 1 tsp honey, and apply the mixture to your cuticles. Then squeeze a lemon to extract fresh juice and apply the juice to your nails. Wash your nails with lukewarm water after 15 minutes to avoid brittleness.
- Alternatively, soak your nails in diluted lemon juice for 10–15 minutes, and then gently scrub them using a soft toothbrush. Rinse your nails and apply a moisturizer. Repeat this remedy twice a day. You can also use lemon essential oil instead of lemon juice.

# Dip your nails in a hydrogen peroxide solution

Hydrogen peroxide is both a whitening agent and disinfectant and can therefore treat yellow nails. Commonly used in whitening toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide can penetrate your nails and work from within.

Ensure that you use hydrogen peroxide with a 3% concentration or less.

- Mix 3 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide with 1½ cup of lukewarm water. Dip your hands in the diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for 15 minutes. Gently brush your nails using a soft toothbrush and then wash them with lukewarm water.
- Alternatively, mix 1 tsp of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tbsp of baking soda, and 125 ml of hot water. Once the powder dissolves, dip your nails in the solution for 10 minutes. Wash your hands with water and soap and moisturize.
- If you can’t get access to hydrogen peroxide, apply whitening toothpaste to your nails. Scrub off the toothpaste after 5–10 minutes using a soft brush, and then wash your hands using warm water.

# Soak your nails in apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains malic acid and acetic acid, which may lighten the discoloration on your nails. ACV also acts as an antifungal and antibacterial agent to ward off infections that cause yellowing of nails.

- Dilute apple cider vinegar with warm water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Dip your hands in the solution for about 20 minutes, and then wash them with cold water.
- Pat your hands dry, and apply olive oil on your cuticles.
- Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.

# Rub orange peel on your nails

Orange peel has a high content of citric acid and vitamin C, which helps clear off spots and stains from the nails. Moreover, the antioxidants in orange peel nourish your nails, improving their health and strength.

- Rub a fresh orange peel on your nails for around 10 minutes daily.
- You can also mix orange peel powder with rose water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your nails, and scrub it off using a brush after 10 minutes.

# Use a denture cleaner

Denture cleaners mainly contain diluted sodium hypochlorite, which is a mild bleaching agent. Denture cleaners can remove stains from any hard surface, including your nails.

- Dissolve 2–3 denture cleaner tablets in a bowl of warm water.
- Soak your nails in the liquid for 5 minutes.
- Rinse your hands with warm water, and pat them dry.
- Repeat this remedy twice a week until you see improvement.

# Apply tea tree oil to your nails

Tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial agent and can prove helpful in treating yellowing of nails caused by infections.

- Use an eyedropper to apply tea tree oil to your nails. Wait for a few minutes, and then rinse off the oil with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
- Alternatively, mix a few drops of tea tree oil with 1 tbsp of nourishing oil such as avocado, almond, jojoba, or olive oil. Use this mixture to massage your nails. Rinse off the oil after a few minutes. Repeat the remedy twice a day until you see improvement.