In people who smoke heavily, their nails and fingers eventually become discolored and it can be difficult to get so-called smoker's fingers clean. In such cases, the fingertips become an unsightly yellow color and could easily be mistaken for jaundice. Of course, no one wants ugly-looking fingers, but they are a common problem for smokers. The good news is that you are not jaundiced. This is discoloration from the chemicals in the cigarettes. But how can you remove these using your own means? Below are some tips you can follow to solve the problem quickly and naturally.
How can you clean smoker's fingers that are stained by cigarette smoke?
A common misconception is that the stains are the result of the nicotine in cigarettes, but that is not the case. Before you remove the stains, it would make sense to identify the causes. Additionally, there are some methods you can usefor normal pigmentationyour fingers can return. When you light a cigarette, the combustion naturally releases smoke.
TheSmoke from cigarettesunfortunately contains thousands of chemicals that make up the numerous ingredients found in the average cigarette. Although tobacco smoke naturally rises and stays in the air, some of the chemicals from tobacco products settle and stick to surfaces they come into contact with - including fingers.
Over a longer period of time, if you smoke cigarettes regularly, you may notice that the skin pores change to a yellowish color. This is because the harsh chemicals penetrate the skin and attach themselves to the cigarette residue. Because this is a gradual, close contact situation, these stains cannot be removed with hand washing and can be difficult to completely eliminate.
So, first of all, you should make sure that the yellow spots are from smoking and not something else. Smokers often do not know that ringworm, psoriasis, various liver diseases and jaundice can also be responsible for skin discoloration. If for any reason you suspect that cigarettes are not the cause of your yellow fingers, you should see a dermatologist.
Which home remedies can help against alleged nicotine fingers?
There are several options and natural products as well as home remedies that can safely remove cigarette-induced yellow spots from your skin. Additionally, you can try some cleaning methods using your own supplies to make your own peeling solution at home. To do this you will need the following products and ingredients:
- Nail file / pumice stone / peeling / toothbrush
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Lemon juice / citric acid
- A potato
- toothpaste
- Aspirin
- warm milk
Follow simple steps and of course get your smoker's fingers clean
- This is how you can use milk to clean smoker’s fingers –Try a simple method by soaking your fingertips in warm milk. This is a safe procedure that does not weaken your nails. Instead of milk, you can also use a solution of soap and water. Then scrub your fingers and nails with a designated brush.
- Clean fingers stained by cigarette smoke with toothpaste– Take any brand of toothpaste and squeeze a little of it onto the yellow area of one of your yellowed fingers. Then use an old toothbrush to rub the paste into the yellow skin for a few minutes. Later, rinse your fingers with warm water. For extremely stubborn stains, try whitening toothpaste.
- Use citric acid or lemon juice against so-called nicotine fingers– Half a lemon is enough, the juice of which you can apply to the yellowed area of your fingers. Rub it on the yellowed areas until they are soaked in the lemon juice. Leave the lemon coating on your fingers for 5-10 minutes and then rinse again with warm water. You can repeat this process up to five times a day. However, if you have small cuts on your fingertips, be aware that attempting self-treatment will sting.
- Use potatoes if your fingers are yellow– This method is milder than the others and can therefore be a good option if you have sensitive skin. To do this, peel a potato and then rub it on the stained area on your fingers for a few minutes. Then rinse your fingers well with warm water. You can repeat this cleansing process up to 10 times a day.
Use other remedies for yellowed fingers after smoking
- Clean discolored smoker's fingers with hydrogen peroxide– This is a common product that has whitening and disinfecting properties. For this reason, hydrogen peroxide can help win the battle against skin discoloration. Just dilute it with plain water and dip your fingers in such a solution for a few minutes. This will also give your nails a beautiful color again.
- Get rid of yellow stains from cigarette smoke with aspirin– For this method, first take a tablet of aspirin and dissolve it in a normal cup of warm water. Then dip your discolored smoker's fingers into the solution and let them soak for a few minutes. After completing the process, wash your hands with soap and water. You can also make a paste using the tablet and a few drops of water. Apply this to your skin and leave the stuff on for 15 minutes. After this time, scrub your nails, rinse off the remaining paste and wash your hands thoroughly.
