What nail change is typically associated with psoriasis?

Prepare for the Hawaii Nail Technology State Board Exam. Review flashcards and multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Ensure your success!

Pitting is a common nail change associated with psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin and can also have notable effects on the nails. In individuals with psoriasis, the nails may develop tiny indentations or depressions on the surface, which can vary in size and can be quite numerous. This pitting occurs due to the rapid proliferation of skin cells and the inflammatory processes involved in the disease, which affect the keratin production in the nails.

The presence of pitting can serve as an important diagnostic clue for practitioners, indicating the potential underlying condition of psoriasis in a client. Other nail changes, such as thickening, discoloration, and exfoliation, may also arise in various conditions affecting the nails but are not as distinctly associated with psoriasis as pitting. In essence, the characteristic pitting of the nails serves as a hallmark sign for those observing or diagnosing hormonal and immunological nail disorders related to psoriasis.

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