Why do I keep getting splinter hemorrhages?
What causes splinter hemorrhages? Splinter hemorrhages can develop after an injury or trauma to a fingernail or toenail. Stubbing a toe or injuring a finger can damage blood vessels along the nail bed on the affected digit and trigger bleeding underneath the nail.
Can splinter hemorrhages come and go?
When splinter hemorrhages result from trauma, they do not usually need treatment. As the nails continue to grow, the splinter hemorrhages should disappear over time. This process usually takes 3 to 4 months.
Can splinter hemorrhage last for years?
The duration of splinter hemorrhages ranged between six and 30 years. The fresh lesions were associated with burning sharp pain and tenderness which lasted for a few days. Although commonly located in the distal one third of nails, they were often found in the middle and the proximal third as well.
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.
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.
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.
What diseases cause splinter hemorrhages?
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).
Can vitamin C 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.