Splinter hemorrhages

Alternative names:

fingernail hemorrhage

Definition:

Small bleeding areas or hemorrhages under fingernails or toenails; they take the shape of straight lines and are caused by microembolic damage to the vessels.

Considerations:

Splinter hemorrhages appear as narrow red to reddish brown hemorrhages beneath the nails. They run in the direction of nail growth and are named splinter hemorrhage because they have the appearance of a splinter beneath the fingernail. The hemorrhages are caused by microscopic clots that damage the small capillaries under the nails.

Splinter hemorrhages are associated with endocarditis and may represent vessel damage from inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) or microscopic clots that damage the small capillaries (microemboli).

Common causes:

• subacute or acute bacterial endocarditis (most common cause)
• fungal endocarditis

Note: There may be other causes of splinter hemorrhages. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for splinter hemorrhages, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.