Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to Seek Medical Care
They can also be a sign of other, more serious causes, includingyellow nail syndrome, a condition that is associated withlung diseaseandlymphedema.
Continue reading to learn more about yellow toenails, including what yellow toenails indicate, the symptoms associated with them, and how to get rid of yellow toenails.
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Symptoms of Yellow Toenails
The primary symptom of yellow toenails is changes to the color of the nails on your feet. The nails may appear yellow or yellow-brownish. In addition, you may notice the followingtoenail fungus symptoms:
Causes of Yellow Toenails
Fungal Infection
What Medications Can Cause Yellow Toenails
Yellow toenails can be the side effect of medications. In this case, you’ll likely notice yellowing of your fingernails in addition to your toenails. The medications that can cause yellow nails include manyantibiotics, as well as other medicines. They are:
Yellow Nail Syndrome
Yellow nail syndrome is a condition that affects the nails, upper respiratory tract and lymphatic system. Symptoms include cough, swelling and yellowing to the fingernails or toenails. This condition is very rare, affecting about one in a million people. It’s much more likely a fungal infection or medications cause your yellow toenails.
How to Treat Yellow Toenails
In most cases treating yellow toenails involves treating a fungal infection. The first line of treatment is usually oral medication.
Oral antifungals include:
Antifungal creams include:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Yellow Toenails?
If a fungal infection isn’t to blame, healthcare providers will ask about your medications. If one of them may be causing yellow toenails, you’ll work together to determine whether you should change medicines. Never discontinue medication without talking with your healthcare provider.
Finally, your healthcare provider may ask about other health concerns, including swelling and cough, to rule out rare conditions like yellow nail syndrome.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Summary
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cheslock M, Harrington D W.Yellow nail syndrome.National Library of Medicine. September 19, 2022.MedlinePlus.Yellow nail syndrome.American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.Drug-induced nail disorders.Prescrire Int. 2014. PMID: 25162091.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cheslock M, Harrington D W.Yellow nail syndrome.National Library of Medicine. September 19, 2022.MedlinePlus.Yellow nail syndrome.American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.Drug-induced nail disorders.Prescrire Int. 2014. PMID: 25162091.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cheslock M, Harrington D W.Yellow nail syndrome.National Library of Medicine. September 19, 2022.MedlinePlus.Yellow nail syndrome.American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.Drug-induced nail disorders.Prescrire Int. 2014. PMID: 25162091.
Cheslock M, Harrington D W.Yellow nail syndrome.National Library of Medicine. September 19, 2022.
MedlinePlus.Yellow nail syndrome.
American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.
Drug-induced nail disorders.Prescrire Int. 2014. PMID: 25162091.
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