Pincer nails are a toenail disorder in which the lateral edges of the nail slowly approach one another, compressing the nailbed and underlying dermis. It occurs less often in the fingernails than toenails, and there usually are no symptoms.[1][2]: 788–9
Hereditary pincer nails have been described although the genes or mutations causing the hereditary form seem to be unknown.[3]
Pincer nail is characterized by an increase in the maximum transverse curvature, which pushes the nail edges down into the lateral nail fold, as well as thickening and narrowing of the nail bed at the distal end along the longitudinal axis of the nail plate in a proximal to distal manner. Affected patients' daily lives are negatively impacted by the curvature that rises along the distal sides of the nail, resulting in excruciating pain, persistent inflammation, and recurring infections.[4]
The diagnosis of pincer nails in clinical.[8] Differential diagnoses are necessary because pincer nails and ingrown nails differ in ways that are confounding despite having clinical similarities. Whereas pincer nails are recognized by their morphology, ingrown nails are recognized by their symptoms. The biggest physical distinction between pincer and ingrown nails is that the former have a transverse curve of the long axis of the nail plate that grows from proximal to distal. Additionally, the contour of the nail plate in ingrown nails stays normal while the nail steadily grows in height.[9]
Correcting the curvature that pinches the fingers and toes in order to produce a nail that is aesthetically normal is the goal of pincer nail treatment.[10] There is no established course of treatment for pincer nails, despite the use of conservative, surgical, and combination therapies. Conservative treatment is associated with recurrence/temporary remission and is a straightforward procedure.[4] On the other hand, although the surgical treatment has a decreased rate of recurrence, it comes with a price: extreme pain, an unattractive appearance, secondary infection, wound necrosis, and sensory disruption.[11]
Pincer nail has an incidence rate of about 0.9% and usually affects the hallux toenails on the outer, inside, and bilateral sides; fingernails and other toenails are rarely affected.[12]
^Kosaka, Masaaki; Kamiishi, Hiroshi (2003). "New Strategy for the Treatment and Assessment of Pincer Nail". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 111 (6). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health): 2014–2019. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000056835.65112.a8. ISSN0032-1052. PMID12711965.
^Cho, Young Joo; Lee, Jae Hoon; Shin, Dong Jun; Sim, Woo Young (2015). "Correction of Pincer Nail Deformities Using a Modified Double Z-Plasty". Dermatologic Surgery. 41 (6). Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health): 736–740. doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000356. ISSN1076-0512. PMID25984904.
^Kim, Kyung-Dal; Sim, Woo-Young (2003). "Surgical Pearl: Nail plate separation and splint fixation?a new noninvasive treatment for pincer nails". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 48 (5). Elsevier BV: 791–792. doi:10.1067/mjd.2003.196. ISSN0190-9622. PMID12734512.
Won, June-Ho; Chun, Ji-Sun; Park, Yong-Hyun; Kim, Seong-Jin; Won, Young-Ho (2018). "Treatment of pincer nail deformity using dental correction principles". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 78 (5). Elsevier BV: 1002–1004. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2017.08.014. ISSN0190-9622. PMID29678375.
