What causes splinter hemorrhages?

Splinter hemorrhages are small, linear streaks of blood that appear under the nail, resembling splinters. These are caused primarily by trauma or injury to the nail bed. When the nail bed is subjected to force or damage, it can result in small blood vessels breaking, leading to the characteristic appearance of red or brown streaks under the nail.

Understanding that splinter hemorrhages often occur due to physical trauma helps in distinguishing them from conditions caused by infections or allergic reactions. While infections of the nail bed can lead to various symptoms, they typically do not result in the specific linear patterns seen in splinter hemorrhages. Similarly, improper nail care may lead to other kinds of damage or infections, but the direct cause of these hemorrhages is related to physical injury. Allergic reactions to products can lead to irritation or other types of nail abnormalities but do not manifest as splinter hemorrhages. Thus, trauma or injury remains the primary and correct cause of these hemorrhages.