Splinter hemorrhages

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Treatment

Splinter hemorrhages

Alternative Names:

Fingernail hemorrhage

Home Care:

There is no particular care for splinter hemorrhages. Strictly adhere to your health care provider's instructions for the treatment of endocarditis.

Call your health care provider if:

You notice splinter hemorrhages in the absence of recent trauma to the nail

Note: Splinter hemorrhages generally are a late-appearing symptom in endocarditis. It is probable that other symptoms causing a visit to the health care provider will have appeared before the appearance of splinter hemorrhages.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will examine you to determine the cause of the splinter hemorrhages. Medical history questions documenting splinter hemorrhage in detail may include:

When did you first notice this?
Have you had trauma to the nail(s) recently?
Do you have a known diagnosis of endocarditis, or has endocarditis been suspected by your health care provider?
What other symptoms are also present, such as shortness of breath, fever, general ill feeling, muscle aches?

Physical examination may include special attention to the heart and blood circulation systems.

Laboratory studies may include:

In addition, your health care provider may order:

Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
ECG

After seeing your health care provider:

You may want to add a diagnosis related to splinter hemorrhages to your personal medical record.

Review Date: 2/9/2006
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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