Finger Nails : Medical Question?

My male friend has noticed he has little pits in all his finger nails, like little dents or minture craters. What is this? His Doctor says its nothing and hes not sure if its a mineral deficiency....can anyone help?





Thank you. xFinger Nails : Medical Question?
Koilonychia is when the nail curves upwards (becomes spoon-shaped) due to an iron deficiency. The normal process of change is: brittle nails, straight nails, spoon-shaped nails.








However, you shouldn't use this to diagnose...he can have his iron levels checked through bloodwork.Finger Nails : Medical Question?
#2 is the one you want to look at


Variable symptoms of psoriatic arthritis


There are typically 6 variants of psoriatic arthritis:


(1) Swelling of both the joint and tendon so that the involved toe or finger resembles a sausage





(2) Involvement of the joints next to the finger nails - often those nails will contain tiny pits





(3) Similar appearance to rheumatoid arthritis
the problem may be purely cosmetic. nails can get dry and brittle or ';ridgy'; from biting them, cleaning products, etc. he should try any array of sally hansen nail products that improve the nail appearance. there are different CLEAR polishes or even nail 'oils' that can be brushed over the nail to help with this. or, he can get a MANicure! you'd be surprised at how many men do this. it's not just a girl thing!
This may be hereditary.





All of my fingernails are smooth EXCEPT for my thumb fingernails and index fingers. I have a subtle ';dent'; in my index fingernails and obvious ones in my thumb nails. All the others are smooth.





My mother doesn't have this BUT my aunt DOES! No joke hun, it's for real. I just spoke to my mom about it. LOL
Sounds like what I have. It's caused by biting or tearing off the skin at the base of the nail. Then the nail grows warped, and as it grows out it takes a pattern of little horizontal dents in the nail.





It's really hard to break the habit of tearing this skin. I was able to, somehow, for my right thumb. The base skin grew back and the nail returned to normal. But I still pick at my left thumb unconsciously throughout the day.





I haven't gone to a doctor about it, since last I checked they can't treat nail biting. Hope this helps
The pits could be injuries to his nail bed -- that's completely harmless. If his nails are brittle, break a lot, grow in warped or even peel that could mean he has a vitamin deficiency.





My nails have pits, too, and as far as I know that's just irregularities in their growth due to the nail bed.