If you've noticed a depression in your thumb nail, you may be experiencing a condition known as nail pitting, which is characterised by small depressions or dimples in the nail. Nail pitting is often associated with nail psoriasis, but it can also be a sign of other health conditions, including ageing, dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular issues, thyroid problems, or diabetes. In some cases, nail pitting may be caused by certain medications or treatments. While nail pitting is typically found on the fingernails, it can also occur on the toenails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nail pitting |
| Appearance | Small depressions or dimples |
| Location | Fingernails or toenails |
| Causes | Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency, thyroid problems, eczema, injury, chemotherapy |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Nail pitting: small depressions in your nails, often a sign of psoriasis
- Vertical nail grooves: can be a sign of ageing, or a health condition like dermatitis or eczema
- Horizontal nail grooves: known as Beau's lines, which can indicate a serious medical condition like anaemia or diabetes
- Nail delamination: a condition that can accompany vertical nail grooves
- Colour changes: another condition that can accompany vertical nail grooves

Nail pitting: small depressions in your nails, often a sign of psoriasis
Small depressions in your thumb nail could be a sign of nail pitting. Nail pitting is when small depressions appear on the surface of the nails. These pits can be shallow or deep, and are often found in people with psoriasis. However, they can also be a sign of several other conditions, including nail psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency, thyroid conditions, syphilis or diabetes. Nail pitting may also be accompanied by nail delamination, dryness, discolouration, abnormal growth and colour changes. If you notice small depressions in your nails, it is recommended that you see a doctor to discover the underlying cause.
The Mystery of Blue Nails: A Health Warning?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Vertical nail grooves: can be a sign of ageing, or a health condition like dermatitis or eczema
Vertical nail grooves or depressions are usually normal and highlight the ridges of the nail bed. However, when they appear more prominently, they could be a sign of ageing or a health condition such as dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency. Nail delamination, dryness and colour changes could accompany the condition.
Nail pitting, which is when small depressions appear on the surface of the nails, is often found in people with psoriasis. However, it can be a sign of several other conditions, including psoriatic arthritis. Nail pitting can also cause discolouration and abnormal growth.
Horizontal nail depressions, known as Beau's lines, may indicate a serious medical condition, including anaemia, cardiovascular and thyroid conditions, syphilis or diabetes. They can also be caused by certain medical treatments.
Blue Nails: A New Way to Signal Relationship Status?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Horizontal nail grooves: known as Beau's lines, which can indicate a serious medical condition like anaemia or diabetes
Horizontal nail grooves, known as Beau's lines, are depressions that run across the fingernail. They can indicate a serious underlying medical condition, such as anaemia, cardiovascular disease, thyroid conditions, syphilis or diabetes. Beau's lines can also be caused by certain medical treatments. They may occur after an illness, injury to the nail, eczema around the nail, or during chemotherapy for cancer.
Vertical nail grooves, on the other hand, are usually normal and highlight the ridges of the nail bed. However, when these grooves become more prominent, they could indicate ageing or a health condition such as dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, or a vitamin or nutritional deficiency. Nail delamination, dryness and colour changes could accompany this condition.
Nail pitting is another condition that can cause small depressions in the nails. It is common in people with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, but it can also be a sign of other conditions.
Crescent Moons on Fingernails: What Do They Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.97 $26.59

Nail delamination: a condition that can accompany vertical nail grooves
Small depressions in your thumb nail could be a condition known as nail pitting. Nail pitting is often found in people with psoriasis, but it can be a sign of several other conditions. It can also be accompanied by discolouration and abnormal growth.
Nail delamination is a condition that can accompany vertical nail grooves. Vertical nail grooves are normal and highlight the ridges of the nail bed. However, when these grooves appear more prominently, it could be a sign of ageing or a health condition such as dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency. Nail delamination, dryness and colour changes could accompany the condition.
Horizontal depressions can be Beau's lines, which may indicate a serious medical condition, including anaemia, cardiovascular and thyroid conditions, syphilis or diabetes. Beau's lines can also occur after illness, injury to the nail, eczema around the nail, during chemotherapy for cancer, or when you do not get enough nutrition.
Red Nails: Relationship Status and Meaning
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Colour changes: another condition that can accompany vertical nail grooves
Small depressions in the nails, also known as nail pitting, can be a result of a number of conditions. Nail pitting is common in people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, but it can also be a sign of other conditions. It can be accompanied by discolouration and abnormal growth.
Colour changes can accompany vertical nail grooves, which are often a normal sign of ageing or can indicate a health condition such as dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency. Nail delamination, dryness and colour changes could accompany the condition.
Horizontal depressions can be Beau's lines, which may indicate a serious medical condition, including anaemia, cardiovascular and thyroid conditions, syphilis or diabetes. They can also occur after illness, injury to the nail, eczema around the nail, during chemotherapy for cancer, or when you do not get enough nutrition.
The Nail Dilemma: Don't Break, Stay Strong
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It could be a condition called nail pitting, which is common in people with psoriasis. It can also be a sign of ageing, or a health condition such as dermatitis, eczema, anaemia, vitamin or nutritional deficiency.
Nail pitting is when small depressions appear on the surface of the nails. These pits can be shallow or deep, and are often found in people with psoriasis.
You may want to see a doctor to discover the underlying cause. Oral and topical medications and lifestyle changes can help treat nail pitting.











































