A pincer nail (Omega nails) is considered the most painful type of an ingrown nail. Pincer nails are characterized as excessive curving of the nail plate that causes the nail to pinch into the skins adjacent to the nail. There are a couple of factors that separate the pincer nail from the classic ingrown nail.

1. Fingernail vs Toenails

   1. First, while the ingrown nail is often associated with an ingrown toenail and usually the biggest toenail is affected, a pincer nail can form on either fingernail or toenail.

2. Difference in curvature

   1. A pincer nail is a curvature of nail plate on both sides by definition. So a pincer nail appears to be the C-curve on the nail, and we can visually see the ends of the nail to push into the skin. On the other side, ingrown toenail usually affects only one side of the nail so will not have a visually cleared C-shape.

Although there are differences between these two conditions, symptoms are similar – discomfort or pain on the nail, inflammation of the tissue surrounding, and risk of infection. It is important that you see your doctor or a podiatrist at the early stage of the condition so that you can avoid developing a complication.