Nail Fungal Infection
The nail fungal infection is a common cause of the splinter hemorrhage often seen in people with diabetes. Coincidentally, it is also a common cause of the toe fungus that plagues many athletes. The two often go hand in hand but are entirely separate entities.
The fungi responsible for the splinter hemorrhage can be found in most people’s homes, contaminating their daily items like towels and shoes. It is not unusual to see this fungus on unsanitized shower curtains. It is rare to find this type of fungus growing out of control on human skin unless they are diabetic or immunocompromised.
When these fungi infect the nails, they create small irritation points within the nail itself, which can be very difficult to remove once they have taken hold. Therefore, it is important to treat these infections early when they are only causing minor splinter hemorrhages. If the condition gets out of hand and creates more significant nail lesions, they may be mistaken for splinter hemorrhages caused by other injuries.
