Yellow discoloration of nails may be as simple as a stain from tobacco or nail polish. Changes in your nails can also signify underlying health problems — either in the nail itself or other parts of your body. Medical causes of yellow nails include fungal infection, autoimmune disease, or yellow nail syndrome, a rare disease.

This article explains the main causes of yellow nails, including yellow toenails, and how to treat and prevent them.

Yellow nails are a form of discoloration. The medical name for changes in nail color is nail dyschromia or chromonychia. 

A yellow tinge or color in your nails may not always be a problem. It might just be a stain from something outside your body, such as tobacco. However, it could signify a disease or another disorder in the nail.

Sometimes, yellow nails are a sign of a systemic medical condition. Rarely, it can signify yellow nail syndrome, which can lead to serious complications.

Symptoms that might occur with yellow nails vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:

Symptoms of yellow nail syndrome include: 

There are several possible medical causes of yellow nails, including:

Your nails may also develop a yellowish stain due to smoking tobacco or wearing nail polish without a clear base coat.

Nail discoloration is not always a sign of disease. However, you should contact a doctor if your nails turn yellow for no apparent reason. You should also make an appointment if you have other nail symptoms.

Doctors can often diagnose the cause of a nail problem by looking at your nails and asking about your symptoms.

Sometimes, doctors may take a nail clipping for microscopic examination. This can help them diagnose or rule out a fungal infection, which is the most common cause of yellow nails.

If doctors suspect yellow nail syndrome, they may recommend imaging exams.

Options for getting rid of yellow nails depend on the underlying cause. For systemic conditions, such as psoriasis, treating the condition can help resolve nail issues. There are also topical treatments available that you apply to the nail.

The most common cause of yellow nails is a fungal infection. This can be difficult to treat and may not respond to topical treatments. However, a fungal infection is unlikely to resolve without treatment.

The most effective way to treat a fungal nail infection is with prescription medicines you take by mouth. In the most severe cases, doctors may need to remove the damaged nail, allowing a new nail to grow. 

Nail staining should improve if you quit smoking or use a clear base coat underneath colored nail polish. 

Try these strategies to prevent yellow nails and nail infections:

Here are some questions people often ask about yellow nails.

There are various reasons nails can turn yellow. Sometimes, smoking tobacco can cause yellow staining. However, it can indicate a nail infection or another nail disorder.

Several medical conditions can cause yellow nails, including fungal nail infections, lichen planus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and rarely yellow nail syndrome.

Yellow nails can be a sign of a health problem that needs attention. The most common cause of yellow nails is a fungal infection of the nail. This condition can be hard to treat and often requires a prescription from your doctor.

Other medical causes of yellow nails are less common. When yellow nails occur without an underlying cause, it is most likely staining due to smoking or nail polish use.

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