Red vertical line on big toe nail

Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER and thank you for seeking our help with your concern of a red vertical line on your big toe nail.

Did you recently injure that toe? Do you have any other medical conditions in addition to a recent thyroidectomy?

This sounds like a splinter hemorrhage, which is a small area of bleeding (hemorrhage) under the fingernails or toenails. It looks like thin, red to reddish-brown lines of blood under the nails. They run in the direction of nail growth.

Splinter hemorrhages can occur with infection of the heart valves (endocarditis). They may be caused by vessel damage from swelling of the blood vessels (vasculitis) or tiny clots that damage the small capillaries (microemboli).

Causes include bacterial endocarditis or injury to the nail.

Anonymous, please contact your primary care physician if you have not had a recent injury to that nail.

Regards,
Maryann