
Dents in your fingernails can be caused by a number of conditions, including nail pitting, Beau's lines, and spoon nails. Nail pitting is a common condition that can be a sign of psoriasis, eczema, or joint inflammation. It can also be caused by an issue with how the layers in the superficial nail plate develop. Spoon nails are characterised by a flattened nail followed by an indentation deep enough to hold a drop of water in the nail bed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nail pitting |
| Appearance | Depressions or dimples in fingernails or toenails |
| Causes | Psoriasis, eczema, joint inflammation, Beau's lines, spoon nails, or genetics |
| Treatments | Oral and topical medications, lifestyle changes, medicinal creams |
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What You'll Learn

Nail pitting
One of the first signs of nail pitting is a flattened nail followed by an indentation deep enough to hold a drop of water in the nail bed. The central portion of the nail then becomes depressed as it grows and the rest of the nail appears elevated. The nails may also appear brittle and thin and feel soft to the touch.
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Spoon nails
Nail pitting can be a sign of several conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, or joint inflammation. It can also be caused by an issue with how the layers in the superficial nail plate develop. The superficial nail plate is the hard part of the nail that is made up of a type of protein known as keratin, which also comprises your hair and skin. One condition often associated with nail pitting is nail psoriasis, which can cause nail discolouration and abnormal growth.
If you have nail pitting, there are a few treatment options available. Oral and topical medications and lifestyle changes can help treat the condition. However, medicinal creams may not always be effective because they may not reach the nail bed.
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Beau's lines
Dents in fingernails can be caused by a number of conditions, including nail pitting, Beau's lines, and spoon nails. Nail pitting is the most common cause of small dents, ridges, and holes in the nails. It is often associated with nail psoriasis, a skin condition that causes skin cells to build up rapidly. It can also be caused by eczema or joint inflammation. Spoon nails are another cause of nail dents, which form gradually, with the nail flattening and then becoming depressed in the centre as it grows. The nails may also appear brittle and thin and feel soft to the touch.
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Psoriasis
Nail pitting is when you have tiny dents in your fingernails or toenails. It can be a sign of nail psoriasis, a common and ongoing skin condition that causes your skin cells to build up very quickly. It can happen anywhere on your body, often in several areas at the same time. Some people see it in their nails, too. It’s possible for your nails to be the only affected body part, but it’s rare.
Nail pitting may appear as depressions or dimples in your fingernails or toenails. It’s common in people with psoriatic arthritis. Oral and topical medications and lifestyle changes can help treat nail pitting. If you’ve ever noticed small depressions in your fingernails or toenails, you may have experienced nail pitting. It can happen for a number of reasons and is often related to nail psoriasis. You may also have discoloration and abnormal growth with this condition.
Nail pitting is caused by an issue with how the layers in the superficial nail plate develop. The superficial nail plate is the hard part of the nail that is made up of a type of protein known as keratin, which also comprises your hair and skin. The superficial nail plate protects the skin underneath. Spoon nails form gradually with the first sign being a flattened nail followed by an indentation deep enough to hold a drop of water in the nail bed. The central portion of the nail then becomes depressed as it grows and the rest of the nail appears elevated. The nails may also appear brittle and thin and feel soft to the touch.
Medicinal creams are not always effective because they may not reach the nail bed.
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Joint inflammation
Nail pitting is when you have tiny dents in your fingernails or toenails. It can be a sign of joint inflammation, but it can also be caused by psoriasis, eczema, or Beau's lines. It can also be genetic.
Nail pitting is caused by an issue with how the layers in the superficial nail plate develop. The superficial nail plate is the hard part of the nail that is made up of a type of protein known as keratin, which also comprises your hair and skin. The superficial nail plate protects the skin underneath.
Nail pitting may appear as depressions or dimples in your fingernails or toenails. It can be treated with oral and topical medications and lifestyle changes. However, medicinal creams are not always effective because they may not reach the nail bed.
Spoon nails are another cause of dents in fingernails. Spoon nails form gradually with the first sign being a flattened nail followed by an indentation deep enough to hold a drop of water in the nail bed. The central portion of the nail then becomes depressed as it grows and the rest of the nail appears elevated. The nails may also appear brittle and thin and feel soft to the touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Divets in your finger nails are called nail pitting.
Nail pitting can appear as depressions or dimples in your fingernails or toenails.
Nail pitting can be caused by psoriasis, eczema, or joint inflammation. It can also be caused by an issue with how the layers in the superficial nail plate develop.
Nail pitting can cause discolouration and abnormal growth. Nails may also appear brittle and thin and feel soft to the touch.
Oral and topical medications and lifestyle changes can help treat nail pitting.










































