What do small hemorrhages under the nail bed indicate?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Splinter hemorrhages are tiny, thin lines of bleeding that appear under the fingernails or toenails, resembling small wood splinters. They are most commonly caused by minor nail trauma, but can also signal underlying health conditions such as psoriasis, vasculitis, or infective endocarditis (a serious heart infection). Because the causes range from harmless to potentially urgent, identifying the reason behind splinter hemorrhages matters. If you're noticing these marks and aren't sure why, taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you narrow down possible causes and decide whether to see a doctor—giving you clarity and confidence about your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Splinter hemorrhages are tiny blood spots under the nails that look like splinters. They can happen if you injure your nail, but sometimes they mean something more serious.

Possible Causes

Injury: Often, these appear after hitting or injuring your nail.
Health Conditions: They can be linked to medical issues like psoriasis, which affects the skin and nails, or even heart problems.

What to Do

If you see these under your nails and haven't hurt yourself, you can use Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine if you should talk to a doctor about a possible underlying health condition.

(References)

Haber R, Khoury R, Kechichian E, & Tomb R. (2016). Splinter hemorrhages of the nails: a systematic review .... International journal of dermatology, 27420914.
Tully AS, Trayes KP, & Studdiford JS. (2012). Evaluation of Nail Abnormalities. American family physician, 22534387.
Canal-García E, Bosch-Amate X, Belinchón I, & Puig L. (2022). Nail Psoriasis. Actas dermo-sifiliograficas, 35697407.

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