Ava Monroe
Splinter hemorrhages are small blood clots that run vertically under the nails. They are called 'splinter' hemorrhages because they look like wood splinters under the nail. They are usually plum-coloured, but darken to brown or black in a few days. They are not specific to any particular condition, but can be associated with a range of health issues, including subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Tiny blood clots that run vertically under the nails |
| Appearance | Dots or vertical streaks of reddish-brown colour |
| Size | 1-3 mm long |
| Causes | Nail trauma, skin disorders, systemic diseases, medication use |
| Examples of systemic diseases | Nail psoriasis, endocarditis, systemic lupus erythematosus |
| Examples of medication | Aspirin, warfarin |
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What You'll Learn
Splinter hemorrhages are caused by nail trauma
Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood clots that run vertically under the nails. They are called splinter hemorrhages because they look like wood splinters under the nail. They are usually plum-coloured, but darken to brown or black in a few days. They occur when small blood vessels called capillaries under the skin beneath the nail bed burst due to damage. The leaking blood becomes visible through the nail. Splinter hemorrhages most often occur after you injure your nail, but sometimes they are a sign of a health condition. Nail trauma is the most common cause of splinter hemorrhages, but skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use can also be responsible.
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They can also be caused by skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use
Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. They are called splinter hemorrhages because they look like wood splinters under the nail. They are usually caused by nail trauma, but they can also be caused by skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use.
Examples of systemic diseases that can cause splinter hemorrhages include nail psoriasis, endocarditis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Medications that have been reported to cause splinter hemorrhages include aspirin and warfarin.
Splinter hemorrhages are not specific to any particular condition, but they can be associated with various health conditions, including subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails, antiphospholipid syndrome, haematological malignancy, and trauma.
In certain conditions, such as infective endocarditis, clots can migrate from the affected heart valve and find their way into various parts of the body. If this happens in the finger, it can cause damage to the capillaries, resulting in a splinter hemorrhage.
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They are more common in males than females
Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. They are called splinter hemorrhages because they look like wood splinters under the nail. They are usually plum-coloured, but darken to brown or black in a couple of days. They are most often caused by nail trauma, but can also be caused by skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use. They can be associated with subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails, antiphospholipid syndrome, haematological malignancy, and trauma. Splinter hemorrhages can affect anyone, but they are more common in males than females. This may be due to males being more likely to engage in activities that could cause nail trauma, such as manual labour or contact sports. Additionally, males may be less likely to seek medical attention for nail splinters, which could lead to a higher prevalence of the condition. It is important to note that splinter hemorrhages can be a sign of a more serious health condition, so anyone experiencing them should consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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They can be a sign of a health condition
Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. They are usually plum-coloured, but then darken to brown or black in a few days. They are called splinter hemorrhages because they look like wood splinters under the nail. They can be a sign of a health condition.
While nail trauma is the most common cause of splinter hemorrhages, skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use can also be responsible. Examples of systemic diseases that cause the condition include nail psoriasis, endocarditis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Aspirin and warfarin are medications that have been reported to cause splinter hemorrhages.
Splinter hemorrhages can also be associated with subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails, antiphospholipid syndrome, haematological malignancy, and trauma. In certain conditions, such as infective endocarditis, clots can migrate from the affected heart valve and find their way into various parts of the body. If this happens in the finger, it can cause damage to the capillaries resulting in a splinter hemorrhage.
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They can be removed at home unless they are deep, infected, or under the nail
Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood clots that tend to run vertically under the nails. They are usually plum-coloured, but then darken to brown or black in a couple of days. They are caused by nail trauma, but skin disorders, systemic diseases, or medication use can also be responsible.
Most splinters in fingers and toes can be removed at home unless they are deep, infected, or under the nail. If the splinter is deeply embedded or lodged under a fingernail or toenail, it is best to have it removed by a medical professional.
To remove a splinter at home, you will need a pair of tweezers, some soap or hand sanitiser, and a small container of clean water. First, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent infection. Then, use the tweezers to gently grasp the end of the splinter that is sticking out of your skin. Pull the splinter out slowly and steadily in the direction that it entered the skin. If the splinter is small or difficult to grasp, you can use a small needle to gently lift it out of the skin before pulling it out with the tweezers.
After removing the splinter, wash the affected area with soap and water again and apply a bandage if necessary. Keep the removed splinter in case you need to show it to a doctor. Monitor the area for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus, and seek medical attention if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Nail splinters, or splinter hemorrhages, are tiny blood clots that run vertically under the nails. They are called splinters because they look like wood splinters under the nail.
Nail splinters can be caused by nail trauma, but they can also be a sign of a health condition. They are associated with subacute infective endocarditis, scleroderma, trichinosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic nails, antiphospholipid syndrome, haematological malignancy, and trauma.
Nail splinters appear as small dark marks under the nail plates. They are reddish-brown in colour and run in the same direction as the nail grows. They are usually 1-3mm long and do not fade or blanch when pressed.
Nail splinters occur when small blood vessels called capillaries under the skin beneath the nail burst due to damage. The leaking blood becomes visible through the nail.
As nail splinters can be caused by nail trauma, taking care to avoid injuring your nails may help prevent them. However, as they can also be a sign of a health condition, they may not always be preventable.
