What causes yellow fingernails?

Not medical advice: The common causes of yellow fingernails are an Underlying Medical Problem, Nail Fungus, Smoking, and Excessive Wearing of Nail Polish.

Fingernails are not only a barometer of your overall health state but also replicate your habits and the way you care for your nails on a day to day basis. Nails that are yellow in color can mirror an internal health syndrome or the way you care for your hands or can be a product of your habits.

Fingernails that are yellow can be a symptom of a medical disorder in some cases. These include liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and nutritional deficiencies, most notably zinc and iron. Though most cases of yellow nails are not triggered by an internal disorder, underlying medical problems should be ruled out if your nails have suddenly changed in color. Simple blood tests can generally rule out extreme causes of yellow fingernails.

One of the first signs of a nail fungal infection is a brown or yellow discoloration of the fingernails. Fungus once rooted under the nails can produce a variety of pigments which can color the nail yellow. Some symptoms of nail fungus include flaking of the nail as well as an unpleasant odor as the fungus breaks down the composition of the nail. If your fingernails are yellow due to a fungal infection, you can ask your doctor for an oral antifungal medication.

Latest news, South Florida Foot & Ankle Centers in Palm Beach County is offering a new laser service to cure fingernail and toenail fungus with the HyperBlue 1530 for patients in South Florida. This laser practice works by shooting small laser beams on the fungal area, eliminating the fungus while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged and healthy and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). About 12% of the U.S. population suffers from a fungal nail infection, scientifically known as onychomycosis.