Splinter hemorrhages on multiple nails. For real, get your nails checked.
Splinter hemorrhages on multiple nails May 17, 2024 · Onychopapilloma is a benign tumor of the nail that presents with longitudinal leukonychia, erythronychia, or splinter hemorrhage, along with nail plate abnormalities, including longitudinal ridging, onycholysis, or V-shaped distal nicking. Discover when nail hemorrhages may signal serious health issues and how to manage them effectively. Nail abnormalities can be categorized as surface Splinter hemorrhages are non-blanchable usually distal reddish-brown linear hemorrhages beneath the nails. The blood attaches itself to the underlying nail plate and moves distally Dec 27, 2019 · Splinter hemorrhages are caused due to leaking of blood from the vessels present in the nailbed. What causes black lines on nails? Black lines on your nails can be alarming, but they’re not always a sign of something serious. (See list at left. Histopathological analysis of the nail plate and subungual debris revealed neutrophils in the absence of fungal elements. Nail disorders account for 10% of dermatologic disorders. Splinter hemorrhages (or haemorrhages) are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. This clinical entity may be divided into cases that involve one (localized) or multiple (polydactylous) nails. Jun 20, 2025 · Splinter hemorrhages are small, dark streaks under the nails caused by tiny blood clots or damaged blood vessels. If splinter hemorrhages form after receiving trauma or injury to the nails, there is usually no need to see a doctor- unless the hemorrhages do not go away on their own. Jan 31, 2025 · In recent decades, cancer mortality rates have declined due to development of systemic antineoplastic agents targeting specific cancer pathways. Apr 4, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages can appear on one nail or you may have many red spots on multiple nails. These can result from: Minor trauma, especially in manual labor or sports Infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus Psoriasis or Jul 12, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages are most often caused by physical trauma to the nail bed causing bleed underneath the plate. Splinter hemorrhages alongside other symptoms: Fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or joint pain, alongside splinter hemorrhages, require prompt medical evaluation. The characteristics of patients who develop splinter haemorrhages relate to their underlying cause. Aug 4, 2025 · A black line on a nail may indicate a splinter hemorrhage, tiny blood vessel damage under the nail bed, often caused by trauma, infections, or underlying health conditions like diabetes or endocarditis. Feb 1, 2004 · Splinter hemorrhages are formed by the extravasation of blood from the longitudinally oriented vessels of the nail bed. I’d say it was a hemmorhage but that’s so incredibly rare and considering you’ve said you’ve had it for 2 months is a cause for serious concern. Feb 9, 2025 · DragonImages / Getty Images Causes Black lines on a nail can have various causes, from normal color variation to injury, medication side effects, or health conditions. Splinter hemorrhages may herald endocarditis, although other causes should be considered. The hemorrhages may be caused by tiny clots that damage the small capillaries under the nails. A 26-year-old Hispanic female presented with asymptomatic, extensive fingernail hemorrhages of two months duration. If caused by an injury, they don’t usually require treatment. Dec 19, 2023 · The most likely diagnosis for a 32-year-old woman presenting with bleeding gums, slower-than-usual wound healing, splinter hemorrhages on her nails, and ecchymoses over her lower limbs is vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). Splinter hemorrhages-Subungual hemorrhages are small, thin red-brown lines under the nails and run in the direction of nail growth. Nail changes from chemotherapy occur due to toxicity to continuously dividing nail matrix keratinocytes. These are called splinter hemorrhages, and they can be a sign of trauma to the nail or other medical conditions. They are caused by damage to the capillaries beneath the nail plate, resulting in small blood clots that are visible through the nail. I did recently use nail Nail abnormalities occur in all age groups but are more prevalent in older adults. The different presentations have distinct differential diagnoses and workups yet often share a common pathogenesis. A couple of my fingernails are feeling tender. This vitamin is essential for the deposition of Splinter hemorrhages multiple fingers. 10 Other changes concurrently occurring in the affected nails of one patient with idiopathic polydactylous longitudinal erythronychia were leukonychia and red lunula. They’re on all ten fingernails, and they appeared suddenly. Splinter hemorrhages are usually due to trauma, but subacute bacterial endocarditis is another possible cause. Janeway lesions are nontender, erythematous or violaceous maculae on the palms and/or soles that are also found in several noninfective diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and myxoma. , from sports Janeway lesions and splinter hemorrhages are a cutaneous sign of infective endocarditis (IE). Splinter hemorrhages look like thin, red to reddish-brown lines of blood under the nails. Although the Customer: Have noticed just today the presence of splinter hemorrhages under my nails. One possible cause of a black line on the nail is splinter hemorrhages. Leukonychia is Can Splinter Hemorrhages Indicate Health Problems? While splinter hemorrhages are often linked to physical trauma, they can sometimes be indicative of more serious health problems. Abstract Multiple cases have reported onychodystrophy secondary to acrylic nails. Mar 15, 2004 · Splinter hemorrhage in patients with heart murmur and unexplained fever can herald endocarditis. They are named splinter hemorrhages because they look like a splinter under the fingernail. ) The nail changes seen with hyperthyroidism usually consist of onycholysis beginning in the fourth or fifth nail, the so-called Plummer’s nails. Splinter hemorrhages are not specific to any particular condition, and can be associated with subacute infective endocarditis,scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails,[1 Oct 28, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages can result from an injury to the nail, but they can also be a sign of systemic disease. When initially formed, they are plum colored but darken to brown or black within days. We talked with an expert about what causes black lines on nails and how to treat them. 3 Occasionally, splinter hemorrhages remain stationary if the blood attaches to the nail bed rather than the nail plate. The nail bed, or the skin under the tough surface of the nail, has a number of small blood Nov 6, 2025 · Red streaking lines underneath the nail matrix, known as splinter hemorrhages, are most commonly caused by trauma, but can also indicate serious systemic con Aug 16, 2010 · Longitudinal erythronychia is a frequent nail presentation with a limited differential diagnosis. Have read about connection to heart valve infection! Need advice. I don’t recall any trauma or anything that would’ve caused this. Splinter hemorrhages are nonblanchable, 1- to 3-mm, red to reddish-brown, longitudinal hemorrhages appearing under the nail plate. They can result from trauma or from one of a range of medical conditions Sep 13, 2025 · The most common cause of splinter hemorrhages is trauma to your nail. So I Jun 27, 2025 · What is Splinter Hemorrhage of the Nail? Splinter hemorrhages are tiny, dark red or brown lines that appear under the fingernails or toenails, resembling splinters of wood. Splinter hemorrhages can be caused by environmental factors, skin disorders, systemic diseases, and medication use. Mar 26, 2025 · As the splinter hemorrhages progress, they can turn into black lines on multiple nails, indicating a systemic issue. 1 Splinter Learn about splinter hemorrhages, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. What causes splinter haemorrhages? The most common cause of a splinter haemorrhage is trauma, including the application of an acrylic nail [3]. Splinter hemorrhages are small areas of longitudinal bleeding (hemorrhage) under the fingernails or toenails and look like a wood splinter. These include: Endocarditis: An infection of the heart’s inner lining, which can cause red or black lines under the nails. Splinter Jul 16, 2019 · Splinter hemorrhages can also appear as a result of taking certain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They are most commonly seen under the fingernails but can also occur under the toenails. These lines, mentioned earlier, are called splinter hemorrhages and indicate small areas of bleeding beneath the nails. The symptoms described are characteristic of scurvy, which is a deficiency disease caused by inadequate intake of vitamin C. If you notice changes, especially with other symptoms, let a medical provider take a closer look. This guide includes information about symptoms, causes, treatments, and more. Janeway lesions are nontender, erythematous macules found in acute IE [2]. Apr 3, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages may be single or multiple, affecting one or multiple nails. Jun 12, 2025 · You might also see thin, dark lines that look like splinters stuck under your nail. Nails can reveal important clues about your health and well-being, and a healthcare provider will be able to examine and advise on the next steps. Aug 30, 2022 · What Are Splinter Hemorrhages? Splinter hemorrhages are small linear subungual hemorrhages that are red when fresh and brown when aged, located at the distal one-third of the nail bed, and classically associated with mitral stenosis (narrowing of the mitral valve orifice). A/w Splinter hemorrhage Bacterial Endocarditis (if left untreated can lead to heart failure) Splinter Hemorrhages The simultaneous appearance of splinter hemorrhages in several nails should raise suspicion of a possible underlying systemic disorder, especially in female patients Splinter hemorrhage in the proximal nail plate is also a sign of bacterial endocarditis. Jun 20, 2025 · Splinter hemorrhages are small, thin, red or brown lines under the nails, while melanoma usually appears as a dark, irregular streak. Among a variety of etiologic factors reported, trauma is the most common cause. Jan 14, 2019 · What to suspect: Onycholysis is associated with many systemic conditions, including thyroid disease—especially hyperthyroidism. Splinter hemorrhages can occur with infection of the heart valves Jul 24, 2017 · The bleeding creates a splinter-like line in the direction of nail growth. Osler nodes are tender, violaceous, acral nodules found in protracted courses of IE [2]. However, the most common cause of Splinter Hemorrhage is believed to be trauma to the nails and constitute for about 20% of cases of Splinter Hemorrhage. They are typically due to melanonychia or splinter hemorrhages, both of which stem from multiple underlying factors. These can result from: Minor trauma, especially in manual labor or sports Infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus Psoriasis or Splinter hemorrhage in the proximal nail plate is also a sign of bacterial endocarditis. Feb 3, 2025 · What Are Black Lines on Nails (Splinter Hemorrhages)? Splinter hemorrhages are small, thin, black, or dark red lines that appear under the nails. Emboli from the infection Splinter hemorrhages are lesions caused by linear bleeding under a fingernail or toenail, resembling a splinter. These hemorrhages can indicate an underlying infection in the heart. Splinter hemorrhages are not specific to any particular condition, and can be associated with subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails, [1 Dec 29, 2022 · Splinter hemorrhages are essentially small spots of blood caused due to bleeding under the nails. Depending on your treatment, you might notice changes in how your nails look or feel. If you notice splinter hemorrhages on multiple nails without any evidence of injury Oct 28, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages can result from an injury to the nail, but they can also be a sign of systemic disease. The condition begins in the blood vessels of the nail bed, along the ridges, and is caused by mechanical traumatisation, or by underlying diseases that involve blood vessels. This can happen when the nail experiences trauma, such as hitting an object, causing Nails abnormalities can be readily examined by dermatologists and may be the first indication that there is an underlying systemic disease. Aug 14, 2020 · What are splinter haemorrhages and what causes them? Splinter haemorrhages appear like wood splinters under the nail and around the nail edges. This includes vasculitis, endocarditis, diabetes and […] Apr 2, 2022 · Splinter hemorrhages represent rupture of longitudinally oriented nail plate capillaries leading to extravasation and the historical hallmark of linear discoloration. Apr 25, 2025 · Multiple splinter hemorrhages: The presence of multiple streaks under several nails may indicate a systemic issue. The causes for splinter hemorrhages First, not all splinter hemorrhages are pathological. It's important to have any concerning nail changes checked by a healthcare provider. Patients that present with splinter hemorrhages mandate particular attention. Mar 26, 2025 · Splinter hemorrhages can occur when the nail experiences trauma, causing tiny blood vessels to break and bleed Dark lines under the fingernails can be indicative of splinter hemorrhages, which occur when small blood vessels called capillaries under the skin beneath the nail bed burst due to damage or trauma. Dec 15, 2024 · One case-control study found that proximal nail fold and periungual erythema and capillary loops in the proximal nail fold, as well as splinter hemorrhages and thin nail plates, are more common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus than in the study controls (Figure 9). Download scientific diagram | Multiple splinter hemorrhages in the distal part of the nail from publication: Cutaneous Manifestations of Medium- and Large-Vessel Vasculitis | Dermatologic Jul 15, 2016 · Splinter hemorrhage is a frequent nail disorder that may be idiopathic, drug-induced, or a sign of a dermatological disease, such as psoriasis and lichen planus, or a wide range of systemic disorders, the most important of which are infections and vasculitis. Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for Splinter Haemorrhages . Apr 15, 2012 · Koilonychia (spoon nail) is commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia. g. They result from small blood clots injuring the minute capillaries beneath the nails. Understanding Splinter Hemorrhages: When Your Nails Look Splintered What Are Splinter Hemorrhages? Jul 10, 2024 · Splinter haemorrhages can appear as single, or multiple streaks, distal to the cuticle of the nail (near the free edge of the nail). Signs of infection: Redness, warmth, or pus around the nail bed can suggest an infection. However, nail trauma (e. Feb 9, 2021 · In patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis, the half-and-half nail is the most common nail finding, but other findings in decreasing order are absent lunula, onycholysis, brittle nail, Beau’s lines, clubbing, longitudinal ridging, onychomycosis, subungual hyperkeratosis, koilonychia, total leukonychia, splinter hemorrhage Splinter hemorrhage in the proximal nail plate is also a sign of bacterial endocarditis. Nail hygiene, diet, and protective care help prevent recurrence. Another cause for Splinter Hemorrhage is the presence of small blood clots, also known as microemboli, in the capillaries. Simultaneous appearance of splinter hemorrhages in multiple nails are more likely to indicate an underlying systemic disease. Localized longitudinal erythronychia most commonly represents Does anyone get these nail splinter hemorrhages? Archived post. Splinter haemorrhages are more frequent in dark-skinned people than in light-skinned people. Understanding Splinter Hemorrhages Splinter hemorrhages, also known as subungual Splinter hemorrhages (or haemorrhages) are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. They look like splinters trapped beneath the nail and run in the direction of nail growth. Common nail changes caused by cancer treatment May 25, 2022 · Splinter hemorrhages are non-blanching, linear, reddish-brown lesions under the nail bed found on the fingers and toes [12]. Jun 1, 2010 · The answer is D: splinter hemorrhages. From nail biting/skin picking or something more serious?. One patient, the pianist, also initially presented with splinter hemorrhages, which subsequently developed—over a two-year period—into linear red bands. Splinter hemorrhages can occur with infection of the heart valves Splinter haemorrhages are small spots of blood appearing beneath the surface of the nail. A nail trauma can be Aug 23, 2022 · Learn about splinter hemorrhages that occur under the nails. Other, less common causes of nail melanonychia include certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, beta-blockers, anti-malarial drugs, or the medication azidothymidine. But, the differential diagnosis is not that different from that of blue toes. Patients with telangiectasia, koilonychia, or pitting of the nails may have connective tissue May 26, 2025 · What causes splinter hemorrhages in fingernails? Splinter hemorrhages are red-to-brown, linear, small streaks underneath the nails that have a splinter-like appearance. Most often, however, they are due to trauma, for example, nail biting or using a cane, and manifest distally to the nail (2). A splinter hemorrhage is a common nail condition that may have several different causes. Splinter hemorrhages can occur on your toenails or fingernails. 1 They occur in the dermis Splinter hemorrhages Splinter hemorrhages are small areas of longitudinal bleeding (hemorrhage) under the fingernails or toenails and look like a wood splinter. Seen end-on, splinter hemorrhage is in the lower part of the nail plate or underneath it. Trauma is the most common cause of splinter hemorrhages, but underlying health conditions can cause them too. Tiny blood clots known as microemboli in the capillaries can also cause splinter hemorrhages. Feb 21, 2017 · They were far more likely than the healthy group to have trachyonychia (rough nails); scleronychia (thickening of the nails); brachyonychia (racquet nails); parrot beaking (nails resembling a parrot’s beak; pterygium inversum unguis (the nailbed adheres to the nail’s inner surface); splinter hemorrhages (small blood clots under the nails May 7, 2018 · A splinter hemorrhage is a type of fingernail abnormality. If you notice black lines on your nails, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice promptly. They were first described in 1923 by George Blumer, who described them as “splinters under the nail” in patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis, leading to their commonly taught association in medical and residency Aug 8, 2025 · Splinter hemorrhages are tiny lines of bleeding under the nail, often due to trauma, but can indicate serious underlying conditions like endocarditis, psoriasis, or other systemic diseases, requiring medical evaluation if unexplained or symptomatic. It is important to rule out systemic causes of splinter haemorrhages by involving cardiologists in the work up followed by adequate imaging studies. You might also notice changes around or under your nails. Splinter Hemorrhages Causes Infective Endocarditis (Most Classic Association) Bacterial heart valve infection. If you notice splinter hemorrhages on multiple nails without any evidence of injury The key signs of endocarditis splinter hemorrhages include the presence of small, reddish-brown lines under the nails, known as splinter hemorrhages. Splinter hemorrhages are deep seated, often painful black lines that present under the nails. These thin red lines run vertically down the nail, and basically look like splinters, from which they draw their name. 1 However, this is a sign of a more serious Mar 19, 2025 · However, if you have multiple splinter hemorrhages across several different nails, it could indicate an underlying condition. 1 Nakatsui and Lin 2 have suggested that patients with unexplained onycholysis be screened for Mar 7, 2025 · A thin black line on nails may be a splinter hemorrhage. Although the most common location of splinter haemorrhage is near the free edge of the nail, they can also occur more proximally (for instance near the cuticle). They run in the direction of nail growth. Fig 3 Onychopapilloma. They can be linked to nail injuries, infections, or other health conditions. May 10, 2016 · Black lines can signify some further health troubles, but so can reddish or brown ones. Aug 8, 2023 · Endocarditis can cause thin red or reddish-brown lines under fingertips known as splinter hemorrhages,. See a doctor if you have splinter hemorrhages and symptoms like fever or skin spots. They have the appearance of splinters and usually occur when there is damage to the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) along the nail bed. They resemble thin wooden splinters. The most common cause of the condition is trauma to your nail, but underlying health conditions can cause the disorder as well. Raynaud’s phenomenon and splinter hemorrhages are separately occurring common conditions with individual underlying causes. Certain medical conditions might have splinter hemorrhage as a symptom. They resemble tiny splinters, hence the name. Either one of two things, splinter hemmorhage caused by too much pressure or melanoma. Treatment with a topical antifungal In general, splinter hemorrhages move distally as the nail grows, since the extravasated blood usually attaches to the nail plate. Splinter hemorrhages in nails are formed by the hemorrhage of blood from the longitudinally oriented blood vessels of the nail bed. It looks similar to a splinter below the nail and it is red in color. I get these red spots every now and then and don’t worry too much about it. Nail toxicities associated with these therapies are underrecognized by many and contribute significantly to patient morbidity. Different treatments are more likely to cause certain types of changes. But I woke up a couple of days ago with a ton of them, all along a faint, reddish horizontal line along my nails. Preventive measures Jul 15, 2016 · Splinter hemorrhage is a frequent nail disorder that may be idiopathic, drug-induced, or a sign of a dermatological disease, such as psoriasis and lichen planus, or a wide range of systemic disorders, the most important of which are infections and vasculitis. Few other systemic causes include rheumatoid arthritis, internal malignancy, mitral stenosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, malignancies, oral contraceptive use Sep 21, 2023 · Splinter hemorrhages are small, linear, or dot-like discolorations that appear beneath the fingernails or toenails. These hemorrhages occur when small blood vessels (capillaries) under the nails rupture and blood leaks into the surrounding tissues, resulting in the characteristic red or brown streaks. Aug 26, 2017 · Splinter hemorrhages cause long, red streaks down the fingernails. This means the small blood vessels (capillaries) are damaged. They can look like black spots on toes. Jul 8, 2025 · Clubbing, cyanosis, splinter hemorrhages, and unusual nail growth patterns shouldn’t be ignored. 3 Mar 19, 2025 · Splinter hemorrhages are short, red, brown, and/or black longitudinal streaks that are most commonly localized to the distal one-third of the nail plate [1]. Splinter hemorrhages are defined as longitudinal thin red-brown lines of variable length that typically appear localized in the distal nail, often associated with inflammatory diseases and potentially indicating systemic conditions when multiple hemorrhages are present in the proximal nail plate. Comparatively in systemic diseases, for example, bacterial endocarditis, the splinter hemorrhages develop proximally and occur in multiple nails (1). They usually heal on their own within a few days. Dec 6, 2024 · Multiple splinter hemorrhages: The presence of several splinter hemorrhages, particularly if they appear suddenly, warrants medical attention. In most cases the splinter hemorrhage extended to the proximal nail bed, but in a few patients was limited to the distal nail bed (Fig 4). Treatment with a topical antifungal Apr 24, 2024 · Splinter hemorrhages appear as small black or deep-red lines and are caused by injuries to the small blood vessels under the nail beds. Splinter hemorrhages causes Splinter hemorrhages occur when blood leaks or swells from small blood vessels that run up and down the nail bed. A splinter hemorrhage is an abnormality that occurs in a person’s nails, either fingernails or toenails, resulting in blood spots underneath the nail. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. From Google "Splinter hemorrhages are tiny streaks of blood underneath your nail plate. They are Splinter Hemorrhages. Common nail changes during cancer treatment How your nails change during cancer treatment depends on what is causing the changes. Note the localized longitudinal brown band (melanonychia) in the thumbnail. Over time they will move toward the tip of the nail but may continue to reappear. Very much Splinter hemorrhages without erythronychia, leukonychia, and melanonychia were seen in 11 cases. We present a case of onychodystrophy with psoriasiform nail changes, including onycholysis, splinter hemorrhages, hyperkeratosis, and nail plate thinning, caused by gel manicures. multiple nails, all near the tips/ends of the nails. There was no history of physical trauma to the nails. 30 Jun 14, 2016 · Splinter hemorrhage on a fingernailof the little finger. Splinter hemorrhage in the proximal nail plate is also a sign of bacterial endocarditis. They are small areas of bleeding or hemorrhage under the nails and are more common in fingernails than toenails. They are caused by the extravasation of blood from ruptured capillaries that are arranged longitudinally in the nail bed and were named due to their similar appearance to a wood splinter [2]. Jul 16, 2024 · Red Line Under Nail Bed (Splinter Hemorrhages) When you see thin, red or dark streaks under the nail, resembling splinters, they’re typically called splinter hemorrhages. Over the 20 years of playing guitar I’ve done and knowing dozens of guitarists, this has not happened to any of us. Splinter hemorrhages are non-blanchable usually distal reddish-brown linear hemorrhages beneath the nails. Splinter haemorrhages also resolved. For real, get your nails checked. These lines form when tiny blood vessels under the nail burst, causing bleeding that gets trapped in the nail Jul 8, 2023 · Splinter hemorrhages look like thin, red to reddish-brown lines of blood under the nails. While usually harmless, persistent or unexplained lines could signal serious issues like melanoma. They happen when blood leaks up from under the nails. qwwiilujlgpefoishqnfzolqzellzrcsukgksfdtlrokqotpkizhfoswovmxtcfnfy