Can fingerprints be permanently changed or destroyed?

An individual’s fingerprints remain the same throughout his or her entire life. Minor cuts or abrasions, and some skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis, may cause temporary disturbances to the fingerprints, but upon healing the fingerprints will return to their original pattern. More serious injuries to the skin that damage the dermis might leave scars that change or disrupt the ridge pattern of the fingerprints, but examining the skin outside the area of damage will reveal the same fingerprint pattern.