What Causes Pincer Toenail?
Before exploring treatment options for pincer toenails, let's understand the common causes:- Tight Footwear: Yes, you guessed right. The built up pressure from shoes pressing so hard, forcing those toenails inward and to dig into the skin. There are severe cases where the nail digs so far in it leads to the skin to fold over almost encompassing the whole nail.
- Improper Nail Care: Cutting nails too short or at an angle can exacerbate the curling. If you are trimming your own nails or if someone does it for you, be sure to watch carefully.
- Medical Conditions: Arthritis and fungal infections may also contribute to nail deformities.
How to best treat your toenails and prevent further complications?
Individuals with pincer toenails or other toenail infections often experience pain and tenderness where the nail digs into the skin, causing redness, swelling, or further infection. When these symptoms appear, it’s time to explore treatment options. Now, what are those options for pincer toenail treatment:- Footwear: Choose shoes with a foot-shaped toe box to relieve pressure on the toes. This will help prevent the nails from curling even further. Be sure these shoes are zero-drop as well. This will help distribute your body weight evenly across your feet and prevent overloading your toes and forefoot which also leads to increased pressure in the toe area.
- Correct Nail Trimming: Trim your nails straight across and avoid cutting them too short. This simple change is a fundamental step for pincer toenails.
- Toe Spacers: Products like Correct Toes can help spread the toes naturally, reducing pressure on the nail and assisting with the long-term effectiveness of pincer toenail treatment.
