There are several possible causes of dents in fingernails, including:
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Spoon nails (koilonychia): Soft nails turned up around the edges, often a symptom of iron deficiency anemia.
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Beaus lines: Horizontal ridges or dents in the nails, which can be a sign of illness, injury, severe stress, vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, or long-term health problems. Some specific causes of Beau's lines include COVID-19, heart attack, high fever, measles, mumps, pneumonia, and strep infections.
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Nail pitting: Small indents or depressions on the nail surface, often linked to psoriasis, eczema, or joint inflammation. Nail pitting can also be a sign of other conditions, such as reactive arthritis, alopecia areata, or inflammation caused by an infection elsewhere.
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Dermatologic conditions and autoimmune diseases: These can cause skin cell overgrowth and buildup, leading to dents in the nails.
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Injuries or trauma to the nail matrix: Damage to the area where nails start to grow can result in dents in the nails.
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Long-term health problems interfering with blood flow to the nail matrix: Conditions that affect blood flow can disrupt nail growth and lead to dents in the nails.
