presence of small depressions on nail surfaces
Nail pitting refers to the presence of small depressions or dents on the surface of the nails. This condition is often associated with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, but can also be seen in other conditions like alopecia areata and eczema. The pits are caused by defective development of the nail plate, which can be a result of inflammation in the nail matrix, the tissue under the nail that produces cells that become the nail plate.