Splinter Hemorrhage
FAQ
What is a splinter hemorrhage?
A splinter hemorrhage is a small area of bleeding under the fingernail, actually resembling a splinter (hence the name). Because the nail bed is linear in construction, the blood usually takes the appearance of a straight line beneath the nail plate.
What causes a splinter hemorrhage?
For healthy individuals, splinter hemorrhages are most commonly caused by some kind of physical trauma or hard impact to the nail. When found on toes, they can be associated with jogging and other types of sports from the constant pressure within the shoes. These types of injuries are usually painless (after the initial trauma) and shouldn’t be a cause of concern. They will grow out over time. Keeping nails trimmed short can help keep sports-related trauma from reoccurring.
That being said, splinter hemorrhages can also be a sign of something more serious, such as a fungal infection, nail psoriasis, or vasculitis, among other causes. Nail are a window to your health, after all. In these cases, a client should be advised to consult a physician for treatment.
How can you tell if a splinter hemorrhage is caused by something more serious?
A couple of signs that a splinter hemorrhage could be caused by something other than physical trauma are that they are present on more than one nail and they are reoccurring. Ask your client if they’ve recently injured themselves in a way that could have caused the splinter hemorrhage. If no physical trauma has occurred, they should consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Can you do a nail service over a splinter hemorrhage?
Before you begin your service, start with a consultation with your client. If you determine the splinter hemorrhage resulted from an injury, you are fine to perform a service. Just take extra care when filing or buffing the hemorrhaged area. Be sure you aren’t using a file that is too abrasive. (An Endurance 180/240 Grit Buffer is perfect for gentle natural nail prep.) If you’re concerned the hemorrhage is caused by something more serious, it’s best to refrain from doing a service and advise the client to get checked out by a physician.