What to Do If Your Toenails Are Orange

The state of your nails is a reliable indicator of your overall health, and while nail changes are normal, they can be quite concerning. If your toes suddenly turn orange, you are entitled to be concerned, but in most cases, there is a simple explanation.

Orange toenails could result from a difficult-to-remove nail polish stain, a tanning solution, or a fungal infection. But if you aren’t sure what to do when your toes turn orange, this article will help.

What Causes Orange Toenails?

If your toes are turning orange, the most likely explanation is that you have nail fungus. Nail fungus, also called Onychomycosis, is a widespread condition affecting millions worldwide. It is caused by various bacteria and fungi that penetrate the nails.

It usually begins with white or yellow spots on one of the nails. It can eventually cause thickening, discoloration, nail crumbling, and a foul, odorous discharge. 

It’s important to treat your toenail fungus right away. If left untreated, it has the potential to spread throughout the body.

Other Reasons for Orange Toenails

In some cases, the cause of the discoloration you see could be a nail injury or trauma. For instance, the color may have changed if you’ve been running, working out in the gym, or dropped something on your nail.

In other cases, orange toenails are caused by a nail infection, so you should consult your doctor. They will be able to tell you the best course of treatment for your nail problem.

Eating too many carotene-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apricots, and many others, can also result in orange toenails. However, you must consume a huge amount of these over time for your toenails to turn orange.

a close up of carrots

Toenails can also turn orange if they make contact with certain hair dyes. However, the most common explanation for most people is that it’s caused by nail fungus.

How Do You Remove Orange Nails?

If you have orange nails due to a fungal infection, you will need to treat it, which is usually done by a doctor, but it is also possible to grab something over the counter. If your nail is damaged due to an injury, a home remedy may suffice; otherwise, soak your nails in warm water and scrub away the stains with a clean toothbrush or nail brush.

If the problem persists and the stains refuse to come out, you may need to give them time, repeating the procedure every day until the orange stains disappear. Once the condition begins to retract, keep checking and monitoring the changes on your nails because the color and condition of your fingernails are some of the most visible indicators of your overall health.

What Happens If You Keep Nail Polish on for Too Long?

It’s critical to take care of your nails, including how you apply nail art. If you use nail polish, remember that the pigment can seep into the nail, causing it to discolor.

But that’s only half the story; nails need to breathe, and indefinitely leaving polish on can lead to infections and other problems, so make sure to remove your nail polish regularly.

What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Orange Nails?

Your toes have turned orange as a result of nail fungus. The longer the fungal infection grows and spreads, the tougher it is to treat.

We recommend beginning a treatment program immediately to stop the fungi from spreading to other body parts, such as your hands, groin, fingernails, or head. Fortunately, there are many effective topical treatments available you can use at home to combat fungal infections. Our top three choices are listed below.

Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System

a persons feet in a foot bath

The Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System is among the most effective nail fungus treatments. It is a 3-in-1 system that includes an Antifungal Body Wash, Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak, and ReNew Toenail Solution.

The three treatment options combined create a potent antifungal force. It’s the best nail fungus treatment available and will help you finally get rid of your orange toenails.

Zane Hellas Fungus Stop

This is a highly regarded antifungal treatment. The easy-to-use topical treatment, which harnesses the power of Essential Tea Tree Oil, Oregano Oil, and other potent essential oils, will effectively defeat your nail fungus and restore your nails to their healthy color. It’s among the most reasonably priced and highly recommended treatments.

EmuaidMAX

EmuaidMAX is an extremely effective antibacterial and antifungal treatment. It is one of the world’s best-selling ointments and treats over 75 types of severe skin problems, including fungus-caused orange nails.

Emuaid has a potent formula that contains medical-grade ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Castor Oil, Vitamin E, and others. Professionals strongly recommend the treatment.

How to Get Rid of Orange Nail Fungus

Clean and Prepare Your Nails

After you’ve decided on the topical treatment you’ll use to cure your orange toenails; the first step is to clean and prepare the nails. Clip or file the nail to a short length with a sterilized filer or nail clipper.

Take extreme caution when removing the remains, as they’re most likely infected with fungi. You don’t want the fungus spreading! After you’ve prepared your nails, take a shower to remove any remaining infected skin.

Use the Treatment

a close up shot of a person applying cream on her foot

Now that the nails have been prepared, it’s time to apply your antifungal treatment. Apply the treatment to the nails and the surrounding skin and let it settle for up to thirty minutes. 

Continue Until You See Results

The topical treatment must be applied to the nails twice daily, once in the morning and at night. The most vital thing is to be consistent in applying the solution. As the infection clears up, the nails will begin to clear up. To prevent reinfection, we recommend using the treatment even after the fungus has been destroyed.

Like black toenails, orange toenails can be humiliating, frightening, and even terrifying. After reading this article, we hope you’ll take action and begin treating orange toenails using an antifungal solution. While no antifungal treatment works overnight, if you use it as directed, you will begin to see results, and your orange toenails will be healthy again.