Why does cigarette smoke turn fingernails yellow?

Individuals that smoke may discover that their fingernails turn yellow after several months. Cigarette smoke is one of the biggest influencing factors in turning nails yellow. The smoke causes yellow nails in two ways. First, tar and nicotine found in cigarettes stain the fingernails as the smoker holds the cigarette. read more

Cigarette smoke is one of the biggest influencing factors in turning nails yellow. The smoke causes yellow nails in two ways. First, tar and nicotine found in cigarettes stain the fingernails as the smoker holds the cigarette. read more

Yellow stains are caused by the tar that is in tobacco smoke. Stop smoking and the stain will go away on their own. Just as the tar coats your fingers and teeth, it also coats the aveoli, the small air sacs in your lungs. read more

However, this is a complete fallacy as nicotine, in its pure form, is a white, very poisonous, solid. The yellow color is actually due to staining by tar deposits in the smoke. In extreme cases the yellow color can turn to a darker brown as more tar is adsorbed onto the surface of the nail. read more