Home Care:

There is no specific care for splinter hemorrhages. Follow your health care provider's instructions for treating endocarditis.

Call your health care provider if:

Contact your health care provider if:

• You notice splinter hemorrhages and you haven't had any recent trauma to the nail

Note: Splinter hemorrhages usually appear late in endocarditis. Likely other symptoms will cause you to visit your health care provider before splinter hemorrhages appear.

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

Your doctor will examine you to determine the cause of the splinter hemorrhages. Your doctor may ask you the following medical history questions:

• When did you first notice this?
• Have you had trauma to the nails recently?
• Do you have a known diagnosis of endocarditis, or has your health care provider suspected endocarditis?
• What other symptoms do you have, such as shortness of breath, fever, general ill feeling, or muscle aches?

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

Laboratory studies may include:

• Blood cultures
• CBC
• ESR

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.