Why My Nails Are Turning Orange? Are your nails turning orange? What does that mean? You cannot find answers to many questions on the internet.
Nails usually turn orange when a person is in bad health. So, what are the possible health conditions associated with nails turning orange?
The possible causes of nails turning orange include liver failure, HIV/Aids, thyroid disease, anemia, and nutritional deficiencies.
Some medical conditions, such as hepatitis, can lead to nails turning yellow or blue. Anemia has side effects such as jaundice (yellow skin) or neuropathy (tingling sensation).
Nails turn orange because it is a sign of certain illnesses, such as liver failure, anemia, or thyroid disease.
In this article, we will discuss all these in detail. Let’s start with the various causes of orange nails.
Why Are My Nails Are Turning Orange?
There can be several reasons why your nails are turning orange. The most common reasons are liver failure and anemia.
Other possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, HIV/AIDS, and cancer.
If you notice yellowing or browning of your nails, seek medical attention immediately as it may be a sign of diseases such as hepatitis or cancer.
Medical evaluation is the first step in getting to know the possible cause of the disorder.
Causes of Orange Nails
1. Liver Failure
Liver failure is one of the main causes of orange nails. The liver is responsible for manufacturing bile and regulates cholesterol, a chemical that affects how the body metabolizes fats.
When the liver fails, it cannot carry out its job efficiently. This process can lead to various metabolic disorders.
Such as anemia, nerve damage in hands or legs, and skin discoloration in various body parts such as lips, eyes, and hair.
2. Anemia
Anemia is another main cause of orange nails health. Anemia is a condition with a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in hemoglobin.
As a result, there is insufficient oxygen supply for body tissues. All body parts lack oxygen supply, so they take up other elements instead, like iron, to carry out their function.
Similarly, iron gets deposited in nails and skin causing it to turn yellow or brownish/orange.
3. Thyroid Disease
In conditions of thyroid disease, the thyroid hormones are either decreased or increased. Too much or too little production of certain hormones in the body can lead to various symptoms, including orange nails.
In this respect, you should see a doctor immediately if you notice any changes in nail color.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
Various nutritional deficiencies can also be one of the main causes of orange nails. The deficiency of protein, vitamins, and minerals can also lead to the yellowing of nails.
5. HIV/AIDS
This is an infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). When HIV infects an individual, it affects the normal functioning of the immune system.
As a result, various organs in the body start to lose their functions and get damaged, leading to HIV/AIDS as a chronic condition.
The symptoms include sores and other skin dimples. When the infection begins in nails, it can cause them to turn orange or even yellow.
6. Cancer
When cancer is present (disease of uncontrolled growth and spread of cells, mainly in blood or other body tissues and organs), it will also lead to deposits of iron in the nails due to anemia affecting the liver.
7 Best Home Remedies For Nails Are Turning Orange
There are some home remedies for nails turning orange. These methods include removing nail polish and cleaning the nails regularly with a special nail cleansing solution. You can also use regular toothpaste to rub them gently.
1. Removal of Nail Polish
When your nails turn orange, the first method to try is the removal of nail polish. Clean the nails with a cotton ball soaked in remover.
If you have access to acetone, use it, as it’s more effective and powerful than the regular remover.
2. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is another remedy for orange fingernails. Mixed with some essential oils such as lemon oil and tea tree oil works best for cleaning nail polish to eliminate the yellow-orange discoloration.
Just combine equal amounts of baking soda and essential oils, then gently apply the mixture to the nails rubbing.
Leave it on for about five minutes, and then rinse off thoroughly with warm water.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is one of the most powerful natural remedies for orange nails. It may cause sensitivity in some individuals, so you should not use it regularly to remove nail polish.
If you use lemon juice, apply it on a cotton ball and clean your nails as with regular nail polish remover.
4. Toothpaste
If you want to remove nail polish because your nails are turning yellow, use regular toothpaste.
Use any flavor you like other than mint but do not use gel. Rub it gently on the nails; the yellowish discoloration should be gone in minutes.
5. Vitamin C
Another method to eliminate the discoloration is Vitamin C tablets or injections. Vitamin C is proven to help the body in removing toxic substances and also promotes healing.
6. Medical Treatment
In some cases, medical treatment may be required if the cause of orange nails is a chronic condition such as anemia or cancer.
This is because it will require medication or some intervention to get rid of orange nails.
7. Manicure
Another way to get rid of orange nails is to do a manicure. Depending on the severity of discoloration, this can be a simple or elaborate option.
When treating orange nails at home, you may want to consider investing in a UV lamp if the problem persists.
You should seek medical help if your nails are turning orange and you don’t know what’s causing it.
Please don’t wait until it’s too late, as this time will help avoid serious problems that could inconvenience your health and wellness.
Orange fingernails vitamin deficiency
The most common cause of orange fingernails is vitamin deficiency. If you are not eating the right foods, your nails will turn orange.
It could also be a symptom of liver disease as this is one of the first organs to develop damage in malfunctioning the immune system.
Orange fingernails can also be a symptom of anemia, characterized by insufficient oxygen in the body tissues, leading to pallor and easily fatigued during exercise or other physical activity.
Why are My Fingernails turning orange after surgery?
Your nails can turn orange or yellow post-surgery if you take blood-thinning drugs. Make sure you are taking food rich in iron. Orange nails indicate the body lacks vitamin B12 or folic acid.
Orange fingernails also indicate any medical condition like liver diseases, kidney failure, heart diseases, lead poisoning, thyroid disease, and diabetes which can cause serious health issues if not treated on time.
The Bottom Line
Orange nails show your body’s failure to process excess iron. This can be from medication, a medical condition such as liver disease, anemia, folic acid deficiency, and even vitamin B12 deficiency.
If you want to reform your nails, then at least treat the underlying cause. A nail problem will go away in time if left untreated, as it is not permanent but can still cause some discomfort.
Dr. Aditya Gupta is a highly accomplished Indian doctor with extensive experience in the field of neurology. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), followed by his postgraduate studies in neurology from the same institution.
