Generally speaking, your toenails should be more or less a clear and partially translucent color. Yet, sometimes, our toenails appear to be yellow, purple, or even black. Many factors can cause toenail discoloration. The condition is known as chromonychia, and they range from injuries to some health conditions.
But let’s not go over there yet. Do not panic, your toenails might be dark because of a minor injury or fun gus. With that in mind, how to lighten dark toenails?
What can you do? Let’s talk.
Causes Of Nail Discoloration
As we said before there are many reasons for nail discoloration. Let’s talk about them.
Fungus
First and foremost, fungal nail infection can negatively impact the color and texture of the nail. It is the leading culprit for nail discoloration. If you have yellow nails or brown nails, it is usually a sign of fungal nails.
The cause is a microscopic fungus that has infected one or more nails. These microscopic organisms thrive in dark, warm, and moist environments. And because our feet are usually in socks, it is a good environment for fungal growth.
Sometimes, the condition is called Athlete’s foot, when the skin becomes infected first, and then the fungus grows deeper into the nail.
Bruising
We talked about minor injuries, or bruises causing discoloration. Usually, that results in black or purple nails. The medical term for the condition is a subungual hematoma or bruise of the nail bed that occurs when the nail is injured.
What happens is small blood vessels bleed underneath the nail and stain it darker. The condition can be caused by a trauma to the area, like stubbing or dropping something on your toes. You can easily wait it out and a healthy toenail will replace the damaged one. But the problem with that is that toenails do not grow as fast, and can take up to several months.
Genetics
Inherited conditions like psoriasis, can sometimes play a role in nail discoloration. These conditions can lead to the development of psoriatic nails.
What happens is your nails become brittle, thickened, and discolored. They look as if they are infected with fungus.
Also, we have to note that nail fungus can run in families due to an inherited sensitivity.
Using Dark Nail Polish Too Often
Oftentimes, the cause of discoloration is cosmetically charged. When you use dark nail polish too often, your nails will show the effects of the wear and tear.
If that is the case, do not worry, there are simple solutions for how to lighten dark toenails.
Possible Cancerous Cells
Now, this is not to say you have cancer. But it is a sign. You can say it is the most alarming visual sign of nail discoloration when you notice black stripes. They should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
The condition, known as linear melanonychia, affects the majority of African American people.
What Are The Signs Of Unhealthy Nails?
We talked about nail discoloration, but what are some other signs of unhealthy nails? Well, the other signs include brittle nails, curling, splitting, nails that become too thick, nails that become too thin, swelling, and bleeding around your nails.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a medical professional.
What Can You Do?
First and foremost, make sure to wear the correct footwear. Properly caring for your feet can prevent disease and discoloration of the nails. Avoid walking barefoot in any public place and wear only clean socks.
Do not re-wear socks. Change socks frequently if you are active and always wear moisture-wicking socks. Avoid fabrics that trap in water, including wool and polyester. And of course, wear some properly-fitting shoes.
You can get rid of the discolored toenails with a laser treatment. In the last few years, laser treatment has become a pain-free way to deal with certain discolorations.
Consider taking some supplements, since yellow nails can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency. Some supplements you can consider include collagen. But always consult with a physician before starting any vitamin or supplement regimen.
And of course, you can use common kitchen items. Let’s talk more about some tricks you can use how to whiten stained nails.
How To Lighten Dark Toenails At Home?
There are many common household items you can use as home remedies to whiten nails. We have a couple of ideas, so stay with us.
Denture Cleaner
All you have to do is soak your nails in denture cleaner. These cleaners contain diluted sodium hypochlorite, a mild bleach.
This active ingredient will work on the stain on your toenails. The best way is to use a denture cleaner tablet, dissolve it in a bowl of warm water, and soak your feet in it for five to ten minutes. Pat dry with a clean towel afterward.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
Baking soda is another known and popular bleacher. For this method, you can make a soaking mixture that will work as an effective stain remover.
Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of baking soda. Add a cup of warm water to a small plastic bowl. Stir the solution, wait for the power to dissolve, and then soak your feet in it for 10 minutes.
Pat dry, and moisturize with cream afterward.
Lemon Juice And Soapy Water
Lemon juice is another common bleacher. For this solution, mix one cup of water and two tablespoons of liquid soap. Add ¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The acidic properties of lemon juice will dissolve the stain particles from your nails.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a mild acid that will strip away any stains from your toenails. Add one tablespoon of white vinegar to one cup of warm water. Use that ratio to fill a bowl with water and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water, pat your feet dry, and apply lotion afterward.
Lemon Juice And Baking Soda Scrub
Lemon juice and baking soda are two of the most common household ingredients. Mix 1 tablespoon of juice and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Once you have a scrub, use a cotton swab to apply the paste to your toenails. Apply underneath each toenail as well.
Wait for 15 minutes, and then wash it off with soap and water. Always apply a moisturizer after using baking soda.
Lemon And Salt Scrub
You can also use lemon juice and salt. This scrub will work on the stains, but also as a gentle buffer to polish your toenails.
Combine equal parts of the two ingredients and then scrub it onto your nails. Leave for five minutes, and then wash with lukewarm water. Apply a moisturizer afterward to prevent any dryness.
How to Prevent Them In The First Place?
You do not want to have dark toenails, right? Well, since the fungus is one of the most common causes, we can talk about ways to prevent it.
First and foremost, you should wash your feet often. Use warm water, but not too hot, and you will prevent any fungus from growing on your feet.
Then, make sure to keep your feet dry. We talked about how moisture is a perfect breeding ground for fungus. So, make sure to keep your feet dry and things will be better.
To prevent any darkening due to nail polish, use a base coat underneath your nail polish. That layer will act as a barrier to prevent darker hues from seeping into your nails.
Last, but not least, do not wear nail polish on your toenails for more than two weeks. Give your feet some break and pause from nail polish, and they will thank you for it.
