What causes fingernails to become indented?

Indented nails may be the result of many different medical conditions. Indented nails can be indented in different places and have pitting, or they may be indented inwards to appear similar to spoons.

Indented nails that appear like spoons may be the result of iron-deficiency anemia, iron overload in the body, Raynaud's disease or due to the autoimmune disease lupus erythematosus. Pits or dents in nail beds may be the result of a few different diseases. Psoriasis, eczema, alopecia areata or autoimmune reactive arthritis all may cause nail beds to appear dented. These conditions can often be treated by a health care practitioner.