What exactly is nail pitting?
Have you ever noticed little depressions in your fingernails or toenails? This is called nail pitting. It can happen for a number of reasons and is often related to nail psoriasis. You may also have discoloration of your nails or abnormal growth with this condition. Here’s more about nail pitting, what causes it, and what treatments are available.
Nail pitting may show up as shallow or deep holes in your nails. The pitting can happen on your fingernails or your toenails. You may think the pitting looks like white spots or other marks. It might even look like your nails have been hit with an ice pick.
If your nail pitting is related to nail psoriasis, as it most often is, you may also experience:
- changes to the normal shape (deformation)
- thickening
- changes in nail color (discoloration)
People with nail psoriasis may also experience loose nails that separate from their nail beds. The more technical term for this symptom is onycholysis. In the most severe cases, nail psoriasis can cause your nails to crumble.
You may experience nail psoriasis with or without other psoriasis symptoms.
These include:
- red, scaly patches of skin
- dry, cracked, or bleeding skin
- itching or burning skin
- stiff or swollen joints
Source: healthline.com
