Splinter hemorrhages can occur with infection of the heart valves (endocarditis). They may be caused by vessel damage from swelling of the blood vessels (vasculitis) or tiny clots that damage the small capillaries (microemboli).
Is splinter hemorrhage serious?
Splinter hemorrhages are usually a harmless occurrence that can temporarily alter the nail beds. However, the changes associated with splinter hemorrhages can, in some instances, indicate an underlying disease. In the case of infective endocarditis, the splinter hemorrhages indicate a very severe condition.
Are splinter hemorrhages common?
Splinter hemorrhages are more common in the elderly, are more common in Black people, and are located distally. When found in women, splinter hemorrhages are more likely to indicate systemic disease.
Should I go to the doctor for a splinter hemorrhage?
You should see a doctor immediately if splinter hemorrhages appear without trauma or injury. Your doctor will order a series of tests to isolate a possible cause.
Should I be worried about splinter hemorrhages?
Splinter hemorrhages caused by injury aren’t a reason for concern. The nail will clear up as the injury heals. But sometimes a splinter hemorrhage indicates an underlying disease or disorder. If you didn’t injure your toe or finger, the hemorrhage may result from conditions that can damage blood vessels.
What vitamin deficiency causes brown lines in fingernails?
Nail color changes.
Nail plate discoloration can result from several nutritional deficiencies. Research has shown vitamin B12 deficiency to cause brown-gray nail discoloration.
Can vitamin deficiency cause splinter hemorrhages?
Red spots or vertical lines in the nail bed, known as splinter hemorrhage, may also appear during vitamin C deficiency due to weakened blood vessels that rupture easily.
Can splinter hemorrhages be benign?
While splinter hemorrhages may denote benign problems such as local trauma, psoriasis, or localized fungal infection, they are a classic finding in patients with endocarditis (Figure 9).
How can you tell the difference between a melanoma and a splinter hemorrhage?
Another cause of black lines on the nails is a splinter hemorrhage, which occurs when blood vessels under the fingernail are damaged, often due to injuries, such as hitting. More seriously, a black line or lines on the nails can indicate the presence of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.
Can diabetes cause splinter hemorrhages?
People with diabetes can also get periungual blisters, haemorrhage and ulceration. They may also show splinter haemorrhages if there have been arterial emboli – but injury is a more common cause.
Why have I got black lines on my nails?
Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin — brown-colored pigment — into the nail. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.
Can biting your nails cause splinter hemorrhages?
Onychophagia can cause destruction to the cuticle and nail plate, leading to shortening of nails, chronic paronychia, and secondary infections. Relatively uncommon effects include pigmentary changes, such as longitudinal melanonychia and splinter hemorrhages.
What happens if a splinter hemorrhage doesn’t go away?
Provided there is no systemic disease, the splinter hemorrhages will disappear on their own. However if they have not disappeared after about three months, visiting a health care professional is recommended to identify the cause.
Are splinter hemorrhages painful?
Splinter haemorrhages present as longitudinal 1–3 mm red lines under the nail plate [2,3]. They can be single or multiple. They may be asymptomatic or tender.
Can Raynaud’s cause splinter hemorrhages?
Splinter hemorrhage may also be seen in individuals who have Raynaud’s disease. Raynaud’s disease is that condition of the finger and toes where they are oversensitive to cold and may be seen in the wintertime with discomfort after exposure to cold, such as when skiing.
What causes purple lines on fingernails?
This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn’t enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color. The skin discoloration could also mean that there’s a high level of an abnormal form of hemoglobin in your blood.
What do red lines in your fingernails mean?
Red or brown little streaks under the nails
If you have little red or brown streaks underneath your nails, it’s likely they’re splinter haemorrhages – lines of blood caused by tiny damaged blood vessels. A few splinters under one nail are nothing to worry about. They are most likely caused by an injury of the nail.
