Peptic Ulcer
Another common cause of a splinter hemorrhage is a peptic ulcer or stomach and duodenum ulcers. Other causes include trauma to the skin and infections (especially those of the urinary tract). The bleeding from these vessels may be difficult to see because it looks like a pinprick, hence its other name, pinpoint hemorrhage.
For this to occur, there must be an underlying disease causing the erosion of the vessels in question. For example, ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection that causes a stomach lining or duodenum breakdown. This occurs because papillae begin to erode, exposing the vessel underneath. It is this vessel that becomes inflamed and eventually broken. When these vessels break, they cause a hemorrhage under the skin, which can cause a splinter-like appearance at times because of its pinpoint size.
