HWN Suggests

Herpetic Whitlow – Don’t Cut It!

Incision of a paronychia may be the very first procedure that I ever did in my medical career, and because of that, it has always held a special place in hierarchy of medical conditions we manage. Generally it is a simple diagnosis and simple procedure (that must be why my simple brain likes it). The purulence is contained superficially, along the edge of the fingernail, and easily extracted.

A Felon (also known as a Whitlow) is slightly more complicated,... But before you numb that digit and perform a incision extending across the entire width of the digit, first consider one thing: is this a Herpetic Whitlow?

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Articles of Interest

Herpetic Whitlow Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Herpetic whitlow follows direct inoculation (exogenous or autogenous) or reactivation of latent virus. In children, it most frequently occurs following a primary oral herpes infection. In adolescents, herpetic whitlow is commonly associated with genital herpes infections.

Herpetic Whitlow: A Guide To The Cold Sore On Your Finger

Many people are familiar with the two most common types of herpes infection: cold sores and genital herpes. But they may not know about another type of herpes infection: herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow, in essence, is a cold sore that develops on your finger.

Resources

Physiopedia

Although, there is no known cure of the disease and the disease is a self-limiting one, therefore, it usually resolve within two to three weeks. However, certain measures may be undertaken to improve the symptoms...

StatPearls

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is common and is most often transmitted in childhood through direct physical contact. The most common infectious sites are oral mucosa (HSV-1) or genital mucosa (HSV-2). Rarely, the infection may be spread to the distal phalanx via direct inoculation and cause pain, swelling, erythema, and vesicles in an entity known as herpetic whitlow. This diagnosis is of particular importance given its close similarity on presentation to paronychia and its drastically differing treatment.

WikEM

Finger may be indurated and tender (but should not be tense, as in a felon).