Pincer toenails are a condition where the toenails curve inwards towards the centres. This can cause pain and make it difficult for people to wear shoes and carry out activities of daily living. Many people have pincer toes and aren’t aware of it. Pincer toenails occur due to a variety of reasons and have been found to be inherited. Huang et al. ( 2020) stated that pincer nail deformities can be genetic which means if you have a family member who suffers from pincer toenails, you could be at risk of developing them too.
Wearing pincer toenails could be caused by other factors as well. Wearing shoes that are too tight or too narrow puts pressure on the toes causing the toenails to become distorted. People may wear shoes that are not healthy for their feet in order to look good. Jung et al. ( 2015) highlighted some key anatomical characteristics that can make pincer toenails worse when shoes are worn that are too narrow. For example, these types of shoes push the toes forward and force the nails to grow in a way that is not normal.
In addition to genetics, pincer toes can be caused by the type of footwear a person wears. Additionally, there are underlying health conditions that can contribute to pincer toes developing. Clouston syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by alopecia areata, alopecia universalis, alopecia totalis, and nail abnormalities similar to pincer toes, and it is good for people to be aware of the condition. Other conditions and diseases that affect the growth of hair and nails can make pincer nails worse, according to a 2015 study written by Hu and titled “Differential diagnosis of nail abnormalities.”
Pincer toenails can affect the appearance of the foot but more importantly cause harm to the foot. Pincer toes are a condition where the sides of the nails curl over onto the adjacent toes and cut into the surrounding skin. As stated in a previous post, individuals with pincer toes are more susceptible to nail-related infections, particularly those that penetrate the skin around the nail. The cut skin provides an entry point to pathogens such as bacteria and fungi that can cause infections that are painful and often chronic. Furthermore, this condition can also cause pain that hampers individuals who engage in physical activities, restricts their movement, makes it painful to walk or even stand for long periods of time.
In addition to affecting the feet and toes, pincer toenails can also have a broader impact on overall health by keeping people from being as active as they normally are. This can lead to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle, which can be detrimental to one’s health. The pain of pincer toenails does not have to control your life. Understanding the symptoms of pincer toenails can help you find relief from painful toenails. Pincer toenails are commonly referred to as ingrown toenails. One of the most noticeable characteristics of pincer toenails is the way that the nails bend. Curling nail edges can put pressure on the skin surrounding the nail, which can cause significant pain. The pain can be mild or severe and can even make such simple activities as walking or putting on shoes and shoes difficult. In addition to pain, pincer toenails can also cause infection which leads to redness and swelling, making a person feel very uncomfortable and unable to participate in many activities including exercising, standing for long periods of time or even just taking a leisurely walk.
There are many ways to treat pincer toenails, ranging from conservative to surgical treatment. Ensuring appropriate footwear, such as wider shoes, and correct nail trimming are two key aspects of treating pincer toenails. Trimming toenails straight across the toe, rather than rounding off the edges has been shown to prevent the toenail from curling inwards further (Park and Singh 2013). In more severe cases it may be necessary to perform a surgical procedure to release the constrictive digit (Tseng et al 2013). This can involve a partial avulsion (removal) of the nail plate, or in severe cases a full avulsion of the nail. Additionally, persistent pain or recurrent infection may require surgical intervention.
For the appropriate management of pincer toenails, proper diagnosis by a healthcare provider is critical, and they can prescribe effective treatment as well as provide guidance on how to manage the condition to prevent serious complications. Grover et al. ( 2023) and Finch and Warshaw (2007) stressed that the treatment needs to be early and effective to prevent complications that could cause significant problems for people who are active and are in need of mobility.
In addition to the surgical and non-surgical management of pincer toenails described above, much ongoing research and development of other treatments is currently taking place. Those suffering from pincer toenails must make themselves aware of the current and developing options available and seek appropriate treatment. With advancing medical technology and knowledge of the condition, there is hope for more effective management of the condition in the future, refer Jung et al. ( 2015), Lee et al. ( 2011).
Citations:
Huang, C., Huang, R., Yu, M., Guo, W., Zhao, Y., Li, R. and Zhu, Z., 2020. Pincer nail deformity: clinical characteristics, causes, and managements. BioMed Research International, 2020(1), p.2939850. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1155/2020/2939850
Jung, D.J., Kim, J.H., Lee, H.Y., Kim, D.C., Lee, S.I. and Kim, T.Y., 2015. Anatomical characteristics and surgical treatments of pincer nail deformity. Archives of plastic surgery, 42(02), pp.207-213. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.5999/aps.2015.42.2.207
Lee, D.K. and Lipner, S.R., 2022. Optimal diagnosis and management of common nail disorders. Annals of Medicine, 54(1), pp.694-712. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07853890.2022.2044511
Lee, J.I., Lee, Y.B., Oh, S.T., Park, H.J. and Cho, B.K., 2011. A clinical study of 35 cases of pincer nails. Annals of Dermatology, 23(4), pp.417-423. https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1045366
Löser, C.R., Nenoff, P., Mainusch, O., Dippel, E. and Balakirski, G., 2021. Common diseases of the nail: Diagnosis and therapy. JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft, 19(12), pp.1761-1775. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ddg.14627
Park, D.H. and Singh, D., 2012. The management of ingrowing toenails. Bmj, 344. https://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2089.full
Grover, C., Yadav, S. and Gupta, R., 2023. An uncommon cause of pincer nail. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 16(2), pp.159-162. https://journals.lww.com/jcas/fulltext/2023/16020/an_uncommon_cause_of_pincer_nail.17.aspx
Finch, J.J. and Warshaw, E.M., 2007. Toenail onychomycosis: current and future treatment options. Dermatologic therapy, 20(1), pp.31-46. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2007.00109.x
Tseng, J.T.P., Ho, W.T., Hsu, C.H., Lin, M.H., Li, C.N. and Lee, W.R., 2013. A simple therapeutic approach to pincer nail deformity using a memory alloy: measurement of response. Dermatologic Surgery, 39(3pt1), pp.398-405. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dsu.12094
Hu, Y.H., Lin, Y.C., Hwu, W.L. and Lee, Y.M., 2015. Pincer nail deformity as the main manifestation of Clouston syndrome. British Journal of Dermatology, 173(2), pp.581-583. https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/173/2/581/6616408
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