Appointments for “ingrown/curved nails” are available only at the Dermatology Outpatient department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
“Why do ingrown or curved nails develop?”
“How are curved nails (onychocryptosis) and ingrown nails treated?”
If you have questions like these, you are not alone.
Curved nails often develop as a result of cutting the nails too short (over-trimming).
This article covers seven treatment options for curved nails as well as preventive self-care measures, so please use it as a helpful reference.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Are Curved Nails?
- 2 What Causes Curved Nails?
- 3 How Are Curved Nails Treated?
- 3.1 Treatment Option 1: 3TO (VHO) Method
- 3.2 Treatment Option 2: Taping Method
- 3.3 Treatment Option 3: Cotton Packing Method
- 3.4 Treatment Option 4: Gutter Method
- 3.5 Treatment Option 5: Wire Method
- 3.6 Treatment Option 6: Makizume Meister
- 4 Can Curved Nails Be Prevented? Self-Care Prevention Tips
- 4.1 Prevention Tip 1: How to Cut Your Nails
- 4.2 Prevention Tip 2: Footwear
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Curved Nails
- 5.1 Which medical department should I visit for curved nails?
- 5.2 Why is curved nail correction not covered by insurance?
- 6 For Curved Nail Treatment in Tokyo, Consult IC Clinic
What Are Curved Nails?
Curved nails (onychocryptosis) refer to a condition in which the nail curves inward toward both sides of the toe. Curved nails alone do not typically cause pain.
When the curved nail digs into the surrounding skin and causes inflammation, the condition is called an ingrown nail (onychocryptosis with paronychia), which can occur alongside curved nails.
It is said that approximately one in ten people develops curved nails. Even those without noticeable symptoms may be at risk, so regular self-care and preventive measures are important.
What Causes Curved Nails?
The main cause of curved nails is over-trimming (cutting the nails too short).
Cutting the corners of the nails too deeply is considered a risk factor for curved nails, which is why trimming nails carefully and correctly is important.
In addition, wearing shoes that do not fit properly can put pressure on the nails and may contribute to curved nail development.
How Are Curved Nails Treated?
The following treatment methods are available for curved nails:
- 3TO (VHO) Method
- Taping Method
- Cotton Packing Method
- Gutter Method
- Wire Method
- Makizume Meister
- Phenol Method
Each method is described below.
Treatment Option 1: 3TO (VHO) Method
The first treatment option for curved nails is the 3TO method.
The 3TO method involves placing a specialized wire on both sides of the nail and using the spring force of a hook to lift and reshape the nail. It is suitable for individuals with short nails or those with deformity closer to the base of the nail rather than the tip.
There may be a slight sensation of unfamiliarity after the wire is fitted, though many people find they adjust within about two days.
The 3TO method involves minimal discomfort during the procedure and is unlikely to interfere with daily activities afterward, making it a commonly chosen option for those experiencing curved or ingrown nails.
Treatment Option 2: Taping Method
The second treatment option is the taping method, which can also be performed by the patient at home.
Using an elastic tape available at pharmacies, the tape is applied to pull the skin away from the edge of the curved nail.
This approach can help prevent the nail from digging further into the skin and may also help reduce discomfort when inflammation has already developed.
Treatment Option 3: Cotton Packing Method
The third treatment option is the cotton packing method, which, like the taping method, can be performed by the patient at home.
The procedure involves using tweezers to gently insert small amounts of cotton between the corner of the nail that is digging into the skin and the surrounding tissue, creating a gap between the nail and skin.
Please be careful not to pack in too much cotton, as this may cause the nail to crack.
The cotton packing method may be helpful when there is inflammation around the nail and is often used for mild cases of curved or ingrown nails.
Treatment Option 4: Gutter Method
The fourth treatment option is the gutter method.
This technique involves inserting a lengthwise-slit tube between the nail and the inflamed skin and securing it in place.
The tube acts as a buffer, and this method may help reduce symptoms in cases where pain and inflammation are significant and granulation tissue is present.
Treatment Option 5: Wire Method
The fifth treatment option is the wire method.
The wire method may be a suitable option for nails that are curved across a wide area.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- Two small holes are made in the white (free edge) portion of the grown-out nail.
- An appropriately sized wire is selected.
- The wire is threaded through the holes and secured.
Because the wire method requires the nail to have grown out sufficiently, individuals who have cut their nails too short will need to use another treatment method until the nail has grown to an adequate length.
Treatment Option 6: Makizume Meister
The sixth treatment option is a method known as the Makizume Meister.
The Makizume Meister uses a medical device containing a superelastic alloy wire, which is fixed to both sides of the nail to provide continuous corrective force and gradually reshape the curved nail.
The device is designed to correct the nail toward its natural shape, and symptom improvement may be expected in approximately one to three months.
Can Curved Nails Be Prevented? Self-Care Prevention Tips
The following self-care measures may help prevent curved nails:
- How you cut your nails
- Footwear choices
Each is described below.
Prevention Tip 1: How to Cut Your Nails
Paying attention to how you trim your nails can help reduce the likelihood of developing curved nails.
This is because curved and ingrown nails are frequently caused by cutting the nails too short.
The key is to cut the nails straight across, leaving them long enough so that the nail covers the skin underneath when viewed from above.
Prevention Tip 2: Footwear
Wearing properly fitting shoes is also an important step in preventing curved nails.
Shoes that do not fit correctly can put pressure on the toenails and lead to deformity. Shoes that are too large can also place excessive strain on the nails due to the foot sliding forward.
If you already have curved or ingrown nails, wearing tight or narrow shoes can worsen discomfort, so footwear such as sneakers or sandals that do not put excessive pressure on the nails is advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curved Nails
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about curved nails.
Which medical department should I visit for curved nails?
Curved nails can be treated at a dermatology clinic.
Dermatological treatment for curved nails typically involves conservative approaches such as topical agents or oral antibiotics.
In cases where curved nails have become severe, surgical treatment may be required, and consultation with a plastic surgery (or reconstructive surgery) department is also an option.
Why is curved nail correction not covered by insurance?
The reason curved nail correction is not covered by health insurance is that it is classified as a preventive care measure rather than a medical procedure.
Curved nail correction is defined by the government as “preventive care.”
Since health insurance coverage applies only to recognized medical procedures, curved nail correction falls outside its scope.
This classification also exists because designating nail correction as a medical procedure would render services provided at salons and osteopathic clinics a violation of the Medical Practitioners’ Act — a consideration that shaped the government’s decision to define it as preventive care.
For Curved Nail Treatment in Tokyo, Consult IC Clinic
If left untreated, curved nails can worsen and lead to inflammation, so seeking care as early as possible is advisable.
To help reduce the risk of inflammation caused by curved nails, it is important to consider visiting a medical institution at the first signs of a mild curved nail, before the condition progresses.
Regardless of the severity of your condition, we encourage anyone with curved nails to consult IC Clinic before symptoms worsen.
Appointments for “ingrown/curved nails” are available only at the Dermatology Outpatient department of IC Clinic Shinjuku.
