Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentAre They Serious?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Are They Serious?
Continue reading to learn more about splinter hemorrhages, including what causes splinter hemorrhages and when they are serious and require further medical evaluation.
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Types of Splinter Hemorrhage
A splinter hemorrhage is any bleeding that occurs under the fingernail or toenails. However, where the hemorrhage appears can give you important information about its causes and whether it is serious. The types of splinter hemorrhage are:
Splinter Hemorrhage Symptoms
The only symptom of splinter hemorrhages is their appearance. They look like a spot that:
Other than the appearance of astreak under the nail, splinter hemorrhages don’t have symptoms. However, the conditions that cause splinter hemorrhages, including infections, can have other symptoms that you might experience simultaneously.
Since splinter hemorrhages can be a sign of serious health conditions, you should see a healthcare provider if you experience splinter hemorrhages on multiple nails or have them often.
A physical exam can diagnose splinter hemorrhages. Diagnosing splinter hemorrhages is less important than diagnosing the condition causing them, especially if you have proximal splinter hemorrhages that appear around the center of more than one nail.
If you see your healthcare provider about splinter hemorrhages, they might ask you about other symptoms you’re experiencing. Usually, splinter hemorrhages are not the first symptom people experience with other conditions. Still, they can be an important clue about underlying health concerns.
To diagnose the health conditions that might be contributing to splinter hemorrhages, your healthcare provider may order additional testing, including:
Are Splinter Hemorrhages Serious?
Sometimes, but not always, splinter hemorrhages can be serious. They are more likely to be a sign or serious disease if:
When in doubt, it’s always best to talk with your healthcare provider to determine whether your splinter hemorrhages are cause for concern.
Summary
However, splinter hemorrhages that appear without a clear cause, that are in the middle of the nail bed, or that happen on many nails at once may be a sign of serious illness, including an infection of the heart. When in doubt, talk to your healthcare provider about splinter hemorrhages.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Splinter hemorrhages.National Library of Medicine. July 19, 2021.Grugan, B. M. and Dyer, S. P.Splinter hemorrhage. Journal of Emergency Medicine. August 2022.DermNet.Splinter haemorrhage.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medline Plus.Splinter hemorrhages.National Library of Medicine. July 19, 2021.Grugan, B. M. and Dyer, S. P.Splinter hemorrhage. Journal of Emergency Medicine. August 2022.DermNet.Splinter haemorrhage.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medline Plus.Splinter hemorrhages.National Library of Medicine. July 19, 2021.Grugan, B. M. and Dyer, S. P.Splinter hemorrhage. Journal of Emergency Medicine. August 2022.DermNet.Splinter haemorrhage.
Medline Plus.Splinter hemorrhages.National Library of Medicine. July 19, 2021.
Grugan, B. M. and Dyer, S. P.Splinter hemorrhage. Journal of Emergency Medicine. August 2022.
DermNet.Splinter haemorrhage.
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