Tips For Healthier Toes

Lighter hues won't leave toes yellow.

By Carly Cardellino

Q: My toenails have taken on a yellow hue. Why? What can I do about it?

A: Discolored nails aren't pretty, but there are plenty of easy ways to fix (and prevent) them, says New York City podiatrist Stuart J. Mogul, D.P.M. To clear things up, follow his easy tips, but first, figure out why yours went sallow:

You wear dark nail polish. Red and purple lacquers have pigments that can cause yellowing if they aren't swiped off within two weeks. Change polish more often, or use an acetone-based remover, which is strong enough to take off both the color and the yellow. If you use a nonacetone remover, follow up with a little lemon juice, or try Feet by OPI Nail Recovery ($10; opi.com); both lighten discoloration. To prevent yellowing in the first place, always apply base coat before polish; it keeps color pigments from reaching and staining the nail surface. We like Rimmel Nail Bright Anti Yellowing Whitening Base Coat ($3; at drugstores). Of course, you could always choose a nonstaining color like pale or medium pink (our favorite pink polish hues for summer are shown below).

You love to be barefoot. Going shoeless puts you at greater risk for catching a fungal infection; microorganisms outside or inside (say, a locker-room floor) can get into a tiny cut (like a torn cuticle) and work their way under your toenail. Signs of a problem include a whitish-yellow color, then thickness and crumbling. The last stage: The nail lifts away or comes off completely. If you spot the signs early (when the nail begins to yellow), ask your doctor for the prescription cream Penlac, which can stop the infection. It's the only one that's FDA-approved for this use.

Your toenails need trimming. If they reach past the tops of your toes, nails' tips can bump against the inside of your shoes. Over time, this damages the nail and, bit by bit, can cause it to detach. Parts that have disconnected will look opaque and pale yellow; you may even notice a blackish bruise (caused by broken blood vessels underneath the nail). If this kind of damage continues, the nail will fall off (or, in some cases, should be removed by a podiatrist or a dermatologist). To prevent this toenail trauma, trim nails regularly and choose footwear that allows you to wiggle your toes.