About Yellow Nails

While the yellowing of nails can appear due to staining from nail polish enamels and tobacco use, this situation is temporary and carries no health risks. But another type of nail yellowing can be more troublesome. Yellow nails syndrome, or YNS, can cause cosmetic defects to nails of both the feet and hands and can be difficult to treat.

Identification

Yellow nails syndrome give nails a thickened appearance, with a yellow to yellowish-green tone. The nails can be ridged, permanently short and lack the presence of the white half moon and cuticle skin that normally surrounds the nail. Nails that are affected by the disorder will normally lack uniformity and have a thick curve or hump in the center.

Effects

At its worst, yellowing nails syndrome may reach deeper into the body, not only affecting the hands and feet but also other tissues and cells in the body. Yellow nails syndrome can cause swelling in the arms and legs known as lymphedema and can also affect the respiratory system causing chronic bronchitis and sleep apnea. A family history can be directly connected to the disease, enabling it to be passed from generation to generation.

Prevention/Solution

While there are no cures for yellow nails syndrome, there are treatments to relieve some of the cosmetic symptoms that it creates. Intralesional corticosteroid injections are the most popular. The medication is injected directly into the nail bed. Although this type of treatment is far from comfortable, it can be the most effective. Other treatments involve less drama and are mainly oral and topical. Vitamin E can be used to externally treat the yellowed nail and can be ingested to promote better nail health. In some cases prednisone is offered to relieve the swelling associated with the syndrome.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions that relate to yellow nails syndrome and its causes. One of them is that the condition is caused by fungus or by poor hygiene. These are absolutely not the case. YNS can be directly tied to genetics, and in all cases concerning its origin, there is a mutation in the FOXC2 gene. The disease has also been closely linked with thyroid disease and nephritic syndrome.

Warning

A word of warning must be given in regards to prednisone treatments and YNS. Prednisone has been known to suppress the immune system and can reduce the body's ability to produce cortisol, causing weight gain. Brittle bones, muscle fatigue, headaches, ulcers, and difficulty in healing can also be side effects. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor and discuss whether there is an alternative to taking prednisone.

Resources

• For more information about the FOXC2 gene, please go to: