Why do I have spoon nails?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.

Can biting your nails cause spoon nails?

Picking, biting, and rubbing nails over a long period of time could result in spoon nails. Another cause is related to diet. Often associated with anemia, spoon nails function as an early warning sign that the body is lacking essential nutrients.

Is koilonychia reversible?

The spoon shape abnormality observed in severe chronic iron deficiency anemia is usually reversible with replenishment of iron stores through food sources containing high iron content or medical management by taking iron supplements.

Can fungus cause spoon nails?

Some researchers have observed that fungus, inflammation and redness, or injury may be at the heart of an individual’s koilonychia. The curving inward of the nail that occurs may be caused by the angling position of the layer of cells in the nail bed that results from alterations in surrounding tissue.

What causes nails to bend downward?

The term clubbing is used to describe the swelling or enlarging of the tips of the fingers, with the nails curving downwards over the tip. While some people are born with clubbing, if it develops later on it can be a symptom of lung disease, congenital heart disorders, inflammatory bowel disease or liver problems.

What do curved nails mean?

If you notice your fingernails start to curve, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist. Curved nails can be a harmless trait, which runs in the family. Curved nails can also be a sign that you have a disease in the: Lungs.

Is koilonychia common?

In adults, koilonychia may be a sign of a health condition that needs medical attention. In infants, koilonychia is common. In 2016, an observational study involving 52 newborns found that 32.7% of the infants had koilonychia. In infants, the nail shape usually becomes regular in time.

Why do my nails curl inwards at sides?

Nails that curve far inward at the sides are called ingrown nails. This condition may affect the toenails and be due to wearing shoes that are too tight, particularly in the toe box. Ingrown nails may also result from cutting the nails improperly. In some cases, treatment may involve removing part or all of the nail.

What does spooning nails look like?

Spoon nails look like the center of your nail is scooped out. The nail becomes thin and the outer edges turn up. Your nail may crack, and the outer part may come out of the nail bed. Some infants are born with spoon nails, but they eventually grow out of it.

What causes spoon shaped nails?

Spoon nails are thin and soft and shaped like a little spoon that is often capable of holding a drop of water. There are many causes, but the most frequent one is iron deficiency anemia. The medical name for spoon nails is koilonychia, from the Greek words for hollow (koilos) and nail (onikh).

What causes spooning fingernails?

Nail-patella syndrome can also be a cause of spooned nails. Other causes of spooned nails: Non-medical causes of spooned nails might be due to an exposure to petroleum-based chemicals or some type of trauma or injury to the nail, especially if you see the spooning in only one nail or one hand.

Is there cure for concave fingernails?

If concave fingernails are caused by iron deficiency, as is often the case, addressing the cause of the iron deficiency will cure the nail condition.

What do spoon nails indicate?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.