Novel treatment using thioglycolic acid for pincer nails

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Podiatry
• Medical Treatments

Background:

• Pincer nails are a nail deformity causing discomfort and cosmetic concerns.
• Existing treatments for pincer nails can be invasive or have limited efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel, non-surgical treatment for pincer nails using thioglycolic acid (TGA).
• To assess the efficacy and safety of TGA in softening and correcting pincer nail deformities.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 106 pincer nails across 104 patients were treated.
• A small hole was created in the nail, a super-elastic wire was inserted, and 5% thioglycolic acid (TGA) was applied for 6-7 hours before nail repositioning.
• Nail reduction and patient outcomes were monitored.

Main Results:

• Successful nail reduction was achieved in 100% of patients, with 66% responding within 1 day.
• No surgical intervention was required for any patient.
• No significant adverse events such as infection, rash, or persistent pain were reported. Recurrence was observed in 8 cases within 1 year.

Conclusions:

• The novel TGA application method is a safe and effective non-surgical treatment for pincer nails.
• This approach offers a high success rate for nail deformity correction with minimal complications.
• Further follow-up is recommended to assess long-term recurrence rates.