What is a pitted nail or a pitted nail is a lack of substance… are issues of concern when you discover that your nails are no longer as shiny as before.

Usually, pitted toenails or fingernails are associated with psoriasis, but there are also other related conditions that can cause this condition. The following article will summarize information related to nail pitting so you can learn more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of nail diseases.

How does the condition of pitted nails usually manifest?

Nail pitting can appear as shallow or deep holes in your fingernails or toenails. Some people with pitted nails also describe these pits as unusual white spots on the nails. Often, this condition will be related to psoriasis because the disease often "invades" the fingernails and toenails and causes pitting. This leaves you with problems like:

  • Indentations appear on the nails.
  • Nails are discolored to yellow or brown.
  • Nails that are loose, separate from your fingers, or break easily.
  • Nails may bleed.

Causes of pitted nails

Most cases of pitted nails are related to psoriasis. Recent studies have found that nail pitting is linked to the severity of psoriasis in general. In addition, if your pitted nails are not related to psoriasis, it could be due to the following reasons:

  • You have a connective tissue disorder, such as Reiter's syndrome, a form of reactive arthritis.
  • Have autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata, sarcoidosis (granulomatosis), and autoimmune bullous skin disease.
  • Having atopic dermatitis can also cause pitted nails.

Methods of diagnosis of nail-related diseases

If you are concerned about pitting your nails, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Usually, the first thing a doctor will do is give you a physical exam. Then, your doctor will usually review your medical history (if necessary), especially if you have psoriasis or other disorders that cause pitting in your nails.

The diagnosis of nail-related diseases is usually not too complicated because the condition on the nail is quite obvious. However, if the cause of the pitted nail cannot be determined, your doctor may take a sample of your nail for a biopsy to find out the exact cause or related conditions.

How to treat pitted nails?

Nail pitting is a condition in which pits form parallel to nail growth. Therefore, the treatment of pitted nails is often not easy and takes a lot of time. Topical medication may be suitable for people with mild or early detection of nail psoriasis. Conversely, if your disease is more "stubborn", your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections near your nail combined with vitamin D3 supplements or laser treatment.

In addition, drugs such as cyclosporine and methotrexate are also the method of choice to treat pitted nails. However, you will need to discuss further with your doctor about taking medications because these medications may pose more risks than benefits. For more severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the nail so that healthy nail tissue can regrow.

Tips to take care and protect your nails

Before and after treating pitted nails, you should consider and apply your nail care solutions to protect and nourish your nails more effectively. Useful tips are:

  • If your nails are weak or even loose, they are more susceptible to damage from rubbing. Therefore, you should not keep your nails long, but cut them short to protect them from breaking.
  • Wear thin cotton gloves when doing household chores such as cooking, washing dishes, washing clothes, etc.
  • Do not wear artificial nails or nail polish because the chemicals can cause more damage to the nails, even making the nails more pitted.
  • Consult a dermatologist for advice on suitable nail cream products.
  • Drink lots of water and add vitamin B, zinc... to your diet to nourish your nails.

Prickly nails are both aesthetically unsightly and can signal a certain disease. Therefore, if you detect this condition, you should go to a hospital with a specialist in dermatology for diagnosis and treatment. Usually, nail pitting will take a long time. Sometimes, a person will have to try different treatments to find the right one.