What should you know about pitted fingernails psoriasis?

Nail pitting appears as small depressions in the nail surface. In psoriasis, inflammation can affect the nail-forming area beneath the cuticle, producing pits as the nail grows. The nail may also become thickened, crumbly, discoloured, separated from the nail bed, or develop ridges. A person with psoriasis may have nail changes with or without obvious skin plaques. Fungal infection and repeated injury can resemble nail psoriasis, so examination matters.

Keep nails short, file rough edges gently, and wear gloves for wet work or cleaning. Avoid biting, picking, aggressive manicures, and pushing back the cuticles, since injury can worsen inflammation. Moisturise the nails and surrounding skin after washing. Record changes with occasional photographs and arrange a dermatology review; treatment may target the nail or any psoriasis elsewhere on the body.

Book an assessment if pitting is new, spreading, painful, or affecting several nails, or if the nail is lifting or changing colour. Seek quicker care for swelling, pus, warmth, severe tenderness, or redness extending around a nail, which may indicate infection. Joint pain, morning stiffness, or swollen fingers alongside nail changes should also be reported.

Ask whether the pattern fits nail psoriasis or another condition, whether a sample is needed to check for fungus, and which treatment is suitable for the nail’s location and severity. Discuss any joint symptoms and how long improvement may take as the nail grows.