Nail Pitting: Causes, Connections, and What You Can Do

When you notice small depressions or dents in your fingernails or toenails, you’re looking at nail pitting, a common nail abnormality characterized by tiny indentations on the nail surface. It’s not a disease on its own—it’s a signal. Often, it’s tied to skin conditions like psoriasis, where the nail matrix gets disrupted by inflammation. It can also show up with eczema, especially in people who frequently scratch or pick at their skin. And yes, it can even appear with a fungal nail infection, though that usually comes with thickening and discoloration too.

Nail pitting doesn’t happen randomly. It’s the result of something interfering with how your nails grow. The nail matrix—the tissue under your cuticle—makes new nail cells. When that area gets inflamed or damaged, the cells don’t form smoothly, leaving behind those little pits. People with psoriasis often have it on their nails, sometimes before the skin rash even shows up. That’s why doctors check nails when they suspect autoimmune skin issues. It’s not just about looks; it’s a clue. If you’ve got pitting along with joint pain, scaly patches, or itchy skin, it’s worth getting checked. Even if you don’t have other symptoms, persistent pitting shouldn’t be ignored. It could mean your immune system is active in ways you haven’t noticed.

Some people think nail pitting is just a hygiene issue or caused by biting nails—but that’s not true. While trauma can damage nails, true pitting comes from internal processes. You won’t fix it with better nail care alone. You need to find the root cause. That’s where things get practical. If you’re dealing with this, look back: did your skin or joints change around the same time? Have you been using new soaps, detergents, or nail products? Have you been sick lately? Sometimes, the answer is simpler than you think. Other times, it points to something that needs medical attention. The posts below cover real cases, connections to medications, and how conditions like psoriasis or eczema show up in the nails. You’ll find what to ask your doctor, what tests might help, and how to tell if it’s just a fluke or something deeper.