Splinter hemorrhages are small areas of bleeding (hemorrhage)
under the fingernails or toenails. Splinter hemorrhages look
like thin, red to reddish-brown lines of blood under the nails.
They run in the direction of nail growth. They are named
splinter hemorrhages because they look like a splinter under the
fingernail. The hemorrhages may be caused by tiny clots that
damage the small capillaries under the nails. 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). - Bacterial
endocarditis - Injury to the nail There is no specific care for
splinter hemorrhages. Follow your health care provider's
instructions for treating endocarditis. Call your health care
provider if Contact your health care provider if: - You notice
splinter hemorrhages and you haven't had any recent injury to
the nail Note: Splinter hemorrhages usually appear late in