How to Get Rid of Yellow Toenails: Causes, Treatment and Prevention

It’s summer season, and closed shoes can’t be an all-day choice. You usually wear sandals, especially during pool visits or your general routine. But something is embarrassing you while wearing open shoes. Yellow Toenails. Not exactly what you were hoping for.

One nail or several, yellowing toenails are one of the most searched foot problems worldwide. Often, they become stubborn, and the longer they are left, the firmer to treat. In this guide, I'll tell you all the details about what causes yellow toenails, home remedies, and how to get rid of yellow toenails, and how to prevent them from happening again. 

Imperial Feet has been treating fungal nail infections professionally since 2001. 

Yellow Toenails Causes

In my 20+ years of career, I have seen multiple cases of yellow toenails due to many different reasons. It is important to know the exact cause as your treatment depends on it.

Fungal Infection (Onychomycosis)

Among the various causes, Onchomycosis is still the most prevalent causing over half of the cases. About 70% are caused by a dermatophyte known as Trichophyton rubrum. This fungus is associated with the consumption of nail keratin. Destroys keratin in the nail and forms a yellow-brown colour. The nail hardens and goes brittle. Then the situation deteriorates, the nail crumbles and lifts from the nail bed. If not treated, the fungus grows on the other nails and the skin around them, too. 

It does not stop here, it is contagious. It can affect you and others through shared surfaces.  Risk factors include communal showers, tight closed-toe shoes, sweating, older age, and diabetes. These factors state that fungus is the reason behind your yellow nails. Understanding why fungal infections don’t clear alone is the first step to treating them effectively.

Non-Fungal Causes: Nail Polish, Psoriasis, Aging and More

Yellow nails are not always fungal. You must know other reasons as well:

• Nail polish staining:  If you apply dark nail polish without a coat it can leave stains. Your nail surface may look yellow without any infection. However, there is no harm; it goes away on its own within 4-8 weeks.

• Aging: With growing age, the blood supply slows down to the extremities. It also causes gradual yellowing over time. From the age of 60+, it is common and entirely normal.

• Trauma and bruising: A damaged nail wound at first looks black or purple. With the healing process, it becomes yellow. Learn more about fungal vs damaged nails.

• Smoking: If you know someone who smokes, you may notice that they have yellow teeth. This can also occur with their nails, as a result of nicotine stains. 

• Diabetes and psoriasis: Both can cause secondary changes in the nails such as discoloration. Compare and contrast between fungal and structural nail changes, see fungal vs damaged nails and nail psoriasis vs fungal nail.

Yellow Toenail Fungus Treatment

The right treatment depends on the cause. Here is what works and when.

Topical Antifungal Nail Treatments: How They Work

Topical antifungal nail treatments contain key active ingredients like amorolfine, ciclopirox, undecylenic acid, and tea tree oil. They have the ability to penetrate the nail plate to attack the infection at its source. They disrupt the fungal cell membrane and stop its growth.

Topical solutions achieve up to 48% mycological cure rate (AJCD). However, the process still takes some time. Visible improvement appears in three to six weeks, and full recovery in six to nine months.

How to use topicals correctly:

1. Properly trim your nails
2. File the surface thoroughly, which allows maximum penetration and absorption
3. Apply Imperial Feet Nail Mycosis Solution to a clean, dry nail
4. Let it absorb fully before putting socks or shoes on
5. Repeat twice daily and consistently

Imperial Feet Nail Mycosis Solution is built exactly under these conditions and for this purpose.

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Pro tip

Before applying any antifungal nail solution, lightly file and trim the nail first. This helps the treatment penetrate deeper into the nail plate. Consistent daily application gives better visible improvement over time.

Nail Prep: Filing, Trimming and Soaking for Better Results

Nail prep before onchomycosis treatment makes a significant difference, yet most people ignore it. Filing the nail surface increases treatment penetration by up to 40%. Thinning the surface allows active ingredients to reach the infection underneath. Trim straight across to avoid ingrown nails. 

Use Imperial Feet Antifungal foot soak two to three times a week, soak feet in warm water, Epsom salt, and tea tree in it soften thickened nails and remove debris before treatment. Always sanitise nail tools after every use. Never share clippers.

Oral Antifungal Medications: When to See a Doctor

Oral Antifungal terbinafine and itraconazole work systemically. They travel through the bloodstream to the nail bed, achieving 70–80% cure rates. That is significantly higher than topicals alone. However, they require a prescription, a six to twelve-week course, and liver function monitoring.

However, I would only suggest an oral treatment if topical treatment has not had any visible effect after 3 months or more than 50% of the nail is infected. People who notice the infection early and treat consistently using quality topical treatment might not need systemic medications. 

Laser Nail Treatment: The High-Tech Option for Persistent Cases

In this treatment, a heated laser is used to target fungal cells. It has 63–83% improvement rate after three to four sessions. It is effective but expensive. Laser treatment can cost £300–£800 in the UK or $400–$1,000 in the USA for a full course.

Only recommended for cases that have not responded to any topical or oral treatment. For a detailed comparison, check out laser vs topical nail treatment.

Natural Home Remedies for Yellow Toenails: Do They Work?

Home remedies are some of the well-known treatments. But they are never as effective as topical treatment. They might slow down the infection, but not cure it. A few of the effective home remedies are: 

• Apple cider vinegar soaks: Acetic acid in vinegar is a popular yellow toenails home remedy but it is not strong enough to treat an infection. Soaking feet daily for 15 minutes can moderately slow down the infection. It doesn't have any clinical evidence and it's not recommended. 
• Tea tree oil: Contains terpinen-4-ol that interferes with the cell membranes of fungi. However, use it diluted and apply it twice a day to the nail. Unlike vinegar, it has the ability to penetrate the nail plate. 
• Baking soda: It creates an alkaline environment that inhibits fungal growth. But it can be used as a soak additive, not as a primary treatment.
• Vicks VapoRub: The active ingredients, thymol and camphor, contained in Vicks VapoRub exhibit only moderate antifungal activity. Not a good primary treatment.

These home remedies can just slow down your problem but they will never fully treat it. Imperial Feet contains a range of effective topical treatments that are especially designed using natural antifungal ingredients. The Solution for Nail Mycosis is the best antifungal toenail treatment.

Global Yellow Toenail Treatments: Country-by-Country Comparison

Nail fungus is a global problem. Treatment access, cost, and preferred methods vary significantly by country.

How to Prevent Yellow Toenails From Coming Back for Good

Treating the nail fungus is only the first part. Complete treatment requires steps to prevent reinfection too. Follow these simple SOPs. 

• Keep feet dry. Fungi grow in damp places. So, carefully dry between the toes after every wash. This tiny, moist area can serve as a breeding ground. 

• Wear breathable footwear. Synthetic fabrics that are heat and moisture-absorptive all day are recommended. 

• Rotate your shoes. After wearing your closed shoes, moisture accumulates in them. These should be left to dry completely between each pair of uses (at least 24 hours). The same pair used daily will not allow the inside to 

• Sanitise nail tools. Sanitise using 70% isopropyl alcohol after every use. Never share clippers. 

• Use an antifungal shoe spray. The Imperial feet antifungal shoe disinfectant spray should be used inside all footwear regularly after wear. It breaks the reinfection cycle.

• Wear sandals in communal spaces. You can catch a fungal infection from a pool, gym locker room, or hotel bathroom by touching the infected surface. 

• Apply a base coat under nail polish. Prevents pigment staining and keeps the nail plate protected.

You must consult your pediatrician if you are diabetic or elderly or have been suffering from frequent nail problems. A medical pedicure is a better way to evaluate nail condition than a standard salon pedicure. 

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Important

Not every yellow toenail is fungal, so identifying the real cause is the first step. If the nail is painful, spreading, very thick, or you have diabetes, see a podiatrist. Ignoring fungal nails can make treatment longer, harder, and more expensive later.

Imperial Feet: The Professional-Grade Yellow Nail Solution

Started in collaboration with Dutch pedicure salons and is today known in over 20 countries. Imperial Feet has been in professional foot care since 2001 and is trusted by podiatrists and pedicurists worldwide. The brand owns real products that give real results.

Free shipping in the USA, EU, and UK. Every purchase is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.

Start your treatment today with Imperial Feet Nail Mycosis Solution

Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Toenails

Can Yellow Toenails Clear Up Without Any Treatment at All?

It is dependent on the actual cause of the yellowing. If the staining is from yellow nail polish, it will go away over time. If it is a fungal disease causing the yellowing, however, it will not cure itself, but will only worsen.

How Long Does Fungal Nail Take to Clear?

Nail polish stains may clear up within a few weeks. However, it may take time to get rid of toenail fungus. Up to 8–12 months is required for a nail to regenerate with a healthy nail depending on the extent.

Is It Safe to Put Nail Polish on Yellow or Infected Toenails?

No, everyday nail polish will cover up the infection, prevent the air flow and create a barrier for the fungus treatment. You can only use breathable nail polish if necessary.

Can I use Vicks VapoRub as my Onchomycosis treatment?

Vicks VapoRub has compounds that have very low to moderate anti-fungal properties. It is not recommended as an effective treatment for fungal infection.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Yellow Toenails at Home?

The key step is to determine whether it is staining or fungal. In fungal, begin with Imperial Feet Nail Mycosis Solution straight away, twice for every day after light filing. Soak the nail two to three times per week in an antifungal soak to soften the nail. Disinfect shoes daily. After regular application, there will be noticeable improvement after 3–6 weeks.

Can Diabetes or Other Health Conditions Cause Yellow Toenails?

Yes. Nail discoloration is linked to diabetes, psoriasis, yellow nail syndrome and thyroid disorders. Diabetics are vulnerable. Their circulation is less so fungi take over. If any skin changes and pain accompany the yellowing, visit the podiatrist.