Which condition is often linked with nail pitting?

• A. Psoriasis
• B. Eczema
• C. Dermatitis
• D. Allergic reactions

Answer: (A)

Nail pitting is a condition characterized by small indentations or depressions on the surface of the nails. It is often associated with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that can cause inflammation and rapid skin cell turnover. In individuals with psoriasis, the nails can exhibit various changes, and pitting is one of the hallmark features.

This connection occurs because the disease affects the nail matrix, where the new nail cells are produced. When inflammation occurs in this area due to psoriasis, it disrupts the normal process of keratinization, leading to the development of pitting on the nail surface.

Other conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and allergic reactions can affect the skin and potentially the nails, but they are less commonly associated with nail pitting. Instead, these conditions might lead to different nail changes, such as nail ridges or discoloration, but not the specific pitting that is primarily linked with psoriasis.