What is a pincer nail?

Pincer nail is a condition characterized by excessive transverse nail curvature, progressively pinching the nail bed distally. It is quite common in the toenails of adults, while they are rare in the fingernails, where they are related to abnormalities of the distal phalanx (exostosis or arthritis).

What does pincer nail look like?

If you notice that your toenails have a curled appearance or that the lateral edges seem to slope inward toward one another as the free edge grows, you may have what's known as a pincer nail.

What causes pincer toenail?

Pincer nails are nails that have become deformed with an increased, transverse over-curvature, with causes ranging from fungal disease or psoriasis, medications such as beta-blockers, or tumors or cysts. Most commonly, however, particularly in toenails, the causes are biomechanical or arthritic changes.

How do I fix my pincer nails?

No matter the cause of the pincer toenail, podiatrists have a treatment method to fix it. The most common method is a simple ingrown toenail procedure. This consists of removing any offending nail borders by cutting from both sides of the nail.

What is the difference between pincer nails and trumpet nails?

Also called trumpet nails, pincer nails are an extreme curve in the nail, which “creates pressure and digs into the skin,” says Dr. Darren Weinheimer, a podiatrist who practices in Binghamton, N.Y. Clients with pincer nails often experience severe discomfort as the nail grows into the flesh.

Pincer Nail causes ingrown toenail

How do I stop my toenails from getting pincer?

This case report showed that pincer nail can be treated by thinning the nail. This result suggested that nail deformities may be treated by improving the balance between automatic nail curvature force and the upward mechanical forces from the finger/toe pad.

Are pincer toenails hereditary?

It occurs less often in the fingernails than toenails, and there usually are no symptoms. Hereditary pincer nails have been described although the genes or mutations causing the hereditary form seem to be unknown.

How do I stop my toenails from curling inwards?

Cut each toenail to the point where it begins to curve upward. Cut the nail straight across without cutting the edges inward. It's also important to leave the nail a little long to prevent it from growing inward.

What causes toenails to curl in on the sides?

Nails that curve around the sides

Nails that curve far inward at the sides are called ingrown nails. This condition may affect the toenails and be due to wearing shoes that are too tight, particularly in the toe box. Ingrown nails may also result from cutting the nails improperly.

Do pincer toenails hurt?

A pincer nail is a common nail deformity of toenails and is characterized by nail thickening and nail plate deformation. It often causes severe pain for patients.

Can you fix curved toenails?

The brace will work on any curved ('involuted') nail, regardless of whether it has progressed to an ingrown toenail or it's on the way. The nail can have one or both sides curved inwards, the brace will still be effective.

Can diabetes cause pincer nails?

Previous case reports cite diabetes as a suspected cause of pincer nail development in patients with renal failure.

What causes toenails to thicken and curl?

Toenails can thicken as a result of sudden or repeated trauma or injury. Mostly, this happens to people involved in sport or exercise, such as soccer players, runners, and dancers. It can also affect people who wear ill-fitting shoes. Often, thick nails due to injury are mistaken for fungal infections.

Do pincer nails get worse?

Symptoms. In early stages, pincer nails can cause discomfort, but as the condition worsens and the nail digs deeper into the skin, the body begins to respond as it would to any irritation, such as a splinter or a piece of glass. The area becomes red, tender, and inflamed.

What causes parrot beak toenails?

The term “parrot beak nail” describes a morphologic change of the nail plate characterized by excessive forward curvature. It may be associated with systemic disease or, most commonly, occurs as an idiopathic finding complicated by delayed nail plate trimming.

How do you trim a curved toenail?

Soak your feet in warm water for at least 10 minutes to soften your nails, and then use a towel to thoroughly dry your feet and toenails. Using a nail clipper, make small cuts to avoid splintering the nail and cut straight across. To lessen the chance of the nail becoming ingrown, don't round off the corners.

What happens to toenails when you get older?

Both fingernails and toenails thicken as we get older. We only notice it with toenails because they're usually not filed and buffed as often as fingernails. The growth rate of nails decreases when people get older. This results in thickening because nail cells pile up.

What is the white stuff under my toenails?

Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails.

Why is my big toenail growing inward?

Ingrown nails may develop for many reasons. Some cases are congenital—the nail is just too large for the toe. Trauma, such as stubbing the toe or having the toe stepped on, may also cause an ingrown nail. However, the most common cause is tight shoe wear or improper grooming and trimming of the nail.

Can pincer nails be cured?

There is no standard treatment for pincer nail. Several treatment methods, including conservative approaches and surgical methods, are used. Surgical therapy can produce a satisfactory result in cases with severe deformity; however, that invasive approach may cause severe discomfort.

What is the white stuff on my fingernails?

You may notice white spots or dots along your nails if you're deficient in certain minerals or vitamins. The deficiencies most commonly linked to this issue are zinc deficiency and calcium deficiency. Your doctor will be able to determine if you are at risk for any mineral deficiency.

How do I thin my toenails?

To Thin the Smaller Toenails: Use the Long Sapphire Bit or Small Sapphire Bit (Figure 8). As above, use gentle pressure and grind the nail until it is normal thickness. To prevent injury, stop grinding if it gets warm then do a little more later that day or after your next bath or shower.

How does a podiatrist treat thick toenails?

A podiatrist will grind the nail at frequent intervals. In some cases, trauma to the nail is permanent and the nail may require removal under local analgesia. In such cases the nail root matrix will need to be destroyed because damaged growth cells will continue to produce a thick new toenail.

What helps thick toenails in elderly?