What should I do if I notice a splinter hemorrhage on my toenail?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Splinter hemorrhages on the toenail appear as thin, reddish-brown lines running vertically under the nail. They're often caused by minor trauma, but can also signal underlying conditions such as endocarditis, vasculitis, psoriasis, or nail fungus. Because the cause isn't always obvious, medical evaluation is recommended to rule out serious issues.

Not sure whether your symptoms warrant a doctor's visit? Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand possible causes and get personalized guidance on your next steps. It takes just a few minutes, requires no signup, and can help you make informed decisions about your health with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Splinter hemorrhages on the toenail look like small, dark lines under the nail. They can happen when you bump your toe or from other causes. Sometimes, they can be a sign of a health problem.

Possible Causes:

Injury: Most often, these happen because you hit or hurt your toe.
Health Issues: In some cases, they might be linked to things like infections or other health conditions like inflammation of your blood vessels.

What to Do:

Check for Injury: Think about if you hurt your toe recently.
See a Doctor: If you didn't hurt your toe or if you have more than one splinter hemorrhage, it's a good idea to visit a doctor. You can start by using a free AI symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your symptoms and whether you need immediate medical attention.

Remember: It's always better to be safe and have a doctor check it out, especially if it doesn't go away or if you find more.

(References)

Haber R, Khoury R, Kechichian E, & Tomb R. (2016). Splinter hemorrhages of the nails: a systematic review .... International journal of dermatology, 27420914.
Miller A, & Vaziri ND. (1979). Recurrent atraumatic subungual splinter hemorrhages in .... Southern medical journal, 505075.
Gao J, Shen C, Ko R, Guo Y, Shen X, Cui Y, & Yang C. (2020). Clinical Observation and Follow-Up of Subungual Splinter .... Indian journal of dermatology, 32029933.

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