Idiopathic splinter hemorrhages.
Splinter hemorrhages are non-blanchable usually distal reddish-brown linear hemorrhages beneath the nails. Among a variety of etiologic factors reported, trauma is the most common cause. A 26-year-old Hispanic female presented with asymptomatic, extensive fingernail hemorrhages of two months duration. There was no history of physical trauma to the nails. Treatment with a topical antifungal medication for one month produced no improvement. The past medical history was noncontributory. Extensive laboratory testing revealed no underlying systemic disease. Three months after the initial presentation, 6 of 10 fingernails showed signs of resolution without treatment. We conclude that idiopathic atraumatic subungual splinter hemorrhages can occur in healthy individuals. Spontaneous resolution occurred in our patient.
Saladi
Rao N
RN
Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Persaud
Andrea N
AN
Rudikoff
Donald
D
Cohen
Steven R
SR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous