### Why Do Nails Turn Yellow? Your nails can reveal a lot about your health. Changes in texture, thickness, or color can signal health issues before other symptoms appear. For people with chronic diseases like diabetes, it's crucial to monitor nail health. Changes in nail color and thickness could indicate serious health problems. If your nails turn yellow without being painted or injured, it’s often due to an infection, usually fungal. Rarely, it could be yellow nail syndrome, which also involves body swelling and fluid in the lungs. ### Diabetes and Yellow Nails In some diabetics, nails may turn yellow due to sugar breakdown affecting nail collagen. This yellowing is harmless and doesn't need treatment. However, yellowing can also indicate a fungal infection, more common in diabetics. This infection, called onychomycosis, usually affects toenails, making them yellow and brittle. Thickened yellow nails can make walking painful and may cut into the skin, increasing infection risk. Diabetic nerve damage can make it hard to feel injuries, leading to severe infections and even amputation if untreated. ### Treatment Options Doctors can treat fungal infections with creams or nail lacquers, but toenails grow slowly, so it may take a year to clear up. Oral antifungal drugs like Terbinafine (Lamisil) and Itraconazole (Sporanox) are also options and are safe for diabetics, though they can have mild side effects. After treatment, using antifungal powder can prevent recurrence. New treatments like lasers and photodynamic therapy are being studied. In severe cases, a podiatrist might remove the affected toenail. ### Importance of Foot Care For diabetics, foot care is vital. Nerve damage can make it hard to feel foot injuries. Regularly check your feet for cuts, sores, and nail problems. If you can't see your feet well, ask a family member for help. If you notice yellow nails or other changes, see a podiatrist. Adopting healthy habits helps manage diabetes effects. Regular foot checks and prompt treatment of issues are essential.