Ingrown Fingernail

Herpetic whitlow also known as finger herpes or hand herpes is a viral infection of the fingers. The virus that causes this infection is the herpes simplex virus.  This infection causes painful small pus filled blisters that usually appear in clusters on the finger and on and around the fingernail.   This infection is  very contagious and can be transferred easily to other body parts.  

Herpetic whitlow can be a result of the finger touching a part of the body that is already infected by the herpes virus such as the mouth, the vagina, the penis or the anus. The virus can also be contracted by a healthy human touching someone’s body parts who has HSV.  The virus usually gets into the finger by a crack in the skin on the finger or around the nail.  Having a hangnail increases the risk, as it allows the virus to enter the fingernail bed and set up infection.

Certain people are more at risk of contracting the infection than others. Children are especially at a higher risk for contracting the painful virus.  This is due to them sucking their fingers, and if they have a cold sore or other type of herpes virus activity in their mouth, the virus is easily transformed to the fingers.  Healthcare workers such as those that work as a dentist are also at increased risk. They are at increased risk because they may place their hands into the mouths of patients who have herpes. Also health care workers who work in the field of obstetrics and gynecology are at a higher risk, as they can come into contact with patients who have genital herpes.

Symptoms of herpetic willow include burning, tingling, itching and pain at the site of infection.  Clusters of fluid filled blisters that are usually bright red and are very itchy are another symptom. There may also be red streaks on the finger, fever, and swollen lymph nodes in the elbow and underarm areas.

The fluid filled blisters can take up to two weeks to heal. The healing period includes the blisters rupturing, crusting over and then finally going away until the next episode. There are certain things that can trigger an episode such as over-exposure to sunlight,  illness, stress and surgical procedures.

Herpetic willow is a serious and painful infection whose risk can be minimalized with good personal care,  testing for the herpes infection and precautionary measures such as wearing gloves.

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Herpetic Whitlow is a very painful viral infection caused by the herpes virus. We don’t want our children or even ourselves to be exposed to this virus. It can be avoided, even if you are surrounded by people who have infections. Dental and medical workers have the biggest risk in getting this infection, so these individuals should be more cautious about preventing contracting herpetic whitlow.

Let us start at home. If you have kids who are thumb sucking, try to stop them from this practice. Continuous sucking of thumbs will possibly get the infection from their mouth, especially if they have a cold sore. This infection can easily be transmitted to other parts of your body, but especially the thumb since children like to chew their thumb. If you are applying treatment to your child, wash your hands immediately right after you apply the treatment to prevent a possible virus transmission.

If you are already exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1, avoid touching your lips, mouth, face, nose or other parts of your body so that it won’t spread and it won’t transfer to your index finger or thumb. If you already have herpetic whitlow, avoid rubbing your eyes as the infection may transfer to your eyes. It is also recommended for you to switch to eye glasses for a while if you are wearing contact lens, so you won’t have to touch your eyes. Prevent your fingers from touching your face. You can cover your fingers with bandages or plasters if you cannot control touching your face.

For couples who are infected by genital herpes, try to prevent sexual contact for a while and wait for the infection to heal. Never share flannels or towels and toiletries with your partner.  Prevent holding hands with one another.

For medical workers and dental workers, wear gloves while you are in your workplace. Limit your exposure to patients, especially if there are open blisters. Wash your hands or sanitize your hands after you have physical contact with your patients.

If you wash and clean your hands regularly with soaps, you have a better chance to prevent this kind of infection. Personal hygiene is very important so bacteria and virus won’t invade your hands. Always remember to avoid touching people who have a herpetic whitlow infection in order to safe guard yourself from this infection and to avoid major problems and complications in the future.

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A finger infection that is caused by a virus is called herpetic whitlow. Reddening of the skin and swelling of the finger are common symptoms and signs of herpetic whitlow. The noticeable signs are the blisters and lesion on the infected finger. You may feel unbearable pain from this infection. But, what really causes herpetic whitlow?

                                                   
This infection can infect people of all ages, from young kids to adults. For children, the primary cause is thumb sucking. Children have a habit of chewing their fingers, especially the thumb. This should really be stopped, especially if the child is exposed to herpes simplex virus 1 or HSV1. This virus usually infects the nose, face, mouth or lips, so if the child has HSV1 or cold sores in the mouth, his or her finger and thumb will get infected by this virus.  For adults, herpes simplex virus 2 or HSV2 is possible, but the percentage of people exposed to HSV2 is low. This usually occurs in genitals or buttocks and once they have touched their genitals or buttocks, their hands or fingers will get infected by HSV2.

Health workers or dental workers are more likely to be exposed to this infection. They have physical contact to the people who may have herpes simplex virus or HSV1, so it is very convenient for the virus to enter their hands. Because of the working environment, their surroundings can easily be contaminated by the herpes virus and can easily diffuse to another person. Having cuts or wounds on your hands or fingers will increase the risk of contracting the virus. It is highly recommended for these workers to wear gloves all the time for their own protection.

For people who already have HSV1, be careful not to touch the infected area. The virus is highly contagious and it is easy to transfer to your hands once you have touched the infected area. Be cautious so that you do not spread the virus further. And for those who have HSV2 or genital herpes, it is advisable to prevent sexual contact to avoid transferring the virus to another person.

Even if this infection heals on its own, it is advisable to have your fingers diagnosed by the doctor to determine if there are other complications. This is especially important if you have some history of another sickness that might prolong the infection. Having a history of diabetes may add complications to your herpetic whitlow, so it is best to have an examination.

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Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection to the finger due to the herpes simplex virus. It is wise to become knowledgeable of the symptoms and signs of herpetic whitlow so you would know what to do to prevent this infection from becoming severe. Because there are also other kinds of infections, it may be confusing to identify which infection you have. It is also important to address your problem as soon as possible to avoid complications.

                                                         
The usual locations for this infection are the index finger and thumb, but sometimes other fingers are included. Most of the cases in children are in the thumb due to thumb sucking. The first sign for this infection is fever. You may feel unwell for quite some time. Then you will notice the swelling of the infected finger and redness of the skin. Blisters will appear and small wounds will develop. Under the blisters is a collection of pus. There may also be a burning sensation. Itchiness is also present in herpetic whitlow. You will feel extreme pain, that’s why you may need to take some Ibuprofen or apply an ice pack or cool compress to the infected thumb and index finger to relieve some of the pain. You may also notice swollen lymph nodes in your armpit or elbow.

It takes 2 – 20 days for the signs and symptoms to appear after you have exposed your finger or hand to the herpes simplex virus. Sometimes the virus is latent or inactive, so you might not see the signs immediately. Symptoms appear gradually. You will have fever first and after a couple of weeks the burning sensation begins. Swelling, severe pain and reddening of your finger will occur next. After a week or two, blisters or lesions filled with pus will come out. This infection is a self-limited infection, which means it gets healed on its own over a period of time but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to cure your infection faster.

When you think your infection is getting worse and worse, better seek medical help. After a thorough examination, your attending doctor will help you cure your infection. Next time, be cautious and more careful so you won’t experience this kind of infection again. Observe proper cleanliness and hygiene. As much as possible, avoid direct contact with people who have herpes simplex virus or HSV1 and herpes simplex virus or HSV2 to protect yourself from herpetic whitlow.  

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Herpetic whitlow is one type of finger infection and the only infection that is caused by a virus. Others are caused by bacteria. You may feel really uncomfortable if you have this infection because it is very painful. There are also blisters and lesions in the affected fingers. This infection usually targets the index finger and thumb.

Herpetic whitlow, which also has different names such as hand herpes, digital herpes or finger herpes, is caused by the herpes simplex virus or HSV. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) are the two types of herpes virus. HSV1 usually occurs on lips, mouth, nose, hands or face, while HSV2 occurs in genitals or buttocks.

How do people get a herpetic whitlow infection? Since it is a virus, it is contagious and people with direct contact to the individuals with HSV1 or HSV2 virus may tend to receive the virus from them, especially if they have open wound, cuts or broken cuticle. Medical or dental workers are prone to this infection since they have direct contact to their patients. Children may also suffer from this infection, especially for those who are sucking their thumbs. If those children are positive with HSV1 or cold sores, they are more likely to get a herpetic whitlow infection.

The symptoms of this infection are the redness of the affected area, swelling, blisters and lesions, strong pain, burning sensation, swelling of lymph nodes and fever. Initially, fever comes first and other symptoms appear 2- 20 days after you contracted the virus.

You can prevent this by not using the towel of the person with an infected finger. Also, you have to wash your hands frequently to ensure cleanliness. It is also important for you to have a strong immune system so it would be hard for the virus to enter your body easily. Do not put your fingers or hands on your mouth or face if you haven’t washed your hands first after you had direct physical contact with a patient. For health workers, it is really advisable to wear gloves so your hands are safe, even when you have physical contact with the patients.

If you notice your herpetic whitlow becoming serious, go to the doctor immediately to assist you and give you proper medication for your infection. Doctors will diagnose the problem and will prescribe antibiotics or pills that will reduce pain and severeness of the infection. Don’t take herpetic whitlow lightly because it may lead to the loss of a finger.

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Herpetic whitlow is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is also known as finger herpes, digital herpes simplex, or hand herpes. This infection is very painful and commonly seen on the fingers or around the fingernails. Sixty percent of cases of herpetic whitlow have herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) as its etiologic agent while the remaining percentage is caused by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2).  This condition is very contagious and infectious. It can be transferred to another individual by direct contact on the infected lesion or wound. The lesions appear as small blister like bumps on the skin of the finger.

People at risk of acquiring this disease can be from any age range, any race, and both genders, though most cases were from children and health care providers. Thumb sucking during an oral herpes infection is the primary cause of herpetic whitlow to children, while health care providers are frequently exposed to patients’ secretions.

The infection begins when infected body fluids come into contact with a break in the skin. The virus then invades the host cells of the skin and tissues causes the manifestations to appear within a few days. After the initial exposure to the virus, there will be an incubation period of 2 to 20 days. Symptoms include intense or burning sensation on the affected finger, fever, and body malaise. Development of clustered vesicles aggravated by erythema and edema occur the next 7 to 10 days. The vesicles may contain whitish or bloody fluid if ruptured. Commonly, the patient may experience inflammation of the lymph nodes, epitrochlea, and axillary lymphadenopathy. Manifestations will improve significantly after 1 to 2 weeks as the lesions dry and heal. Recovery period occurs subsequently after 5 to 7 days. Death related to herpetic whitlow resulted from negligence and mismanagement.

Seek medical advice at once to prevent further contamination. The health care provider may prescribe acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage symptoms caused by the herpes simplex virus. Application of ice packs or cold compresses may relieve the tingling sensation and swelling. This also provides comfort as it soothes the lesion. Herpetic whitlow is very contagious and strict compliance to infection control must be observed. Some helpful guidelines to prevent further transmission of the virus include avoidance of sharing towels and other hygienic care items, and dressing the affected finger with clean bandages while keeping it dry and intact. If you are a health care provider, always wear gloves when dealing with patients. Herpetic whitlow is a simple condition provided that it is managed appropriately.

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Herpetic Whitlow is an infection caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV) that affects the hands.  It can either be caused by HSV-1 (the cold sore virus) or HSV-2 (the genital herpes virus). Infections with HSV are very contagious and are easily spread by direct contact with infected skin lesions. HSV infection usually appears as small blisters or sores around the mouth, nose, genitals, or buttocks. Infections can develop almost anywhere on the skin. These tender sores may recur periodically in the same area.  Medline Plus reports that the condition most commonly affects health care professionals and children. Proper treatment for the condition requires a doctor’s visit for diagnosis, followed by the administration of prescription medications.

Signs and Symptom

The most common locations for Herpetic Whitlow include the thumb or index finger.  

The symptoms for Herpetic Whitlow last for approximately two to twenty days after initial exposure the infected area develops burning, tingling, and pain.  Over the next week or two, the finger becomes red and swollen.  Small fluid-filled blisters develop, often clustered together on a bright red base.  The blisters usually rupture and scab over, leading to complete healing after an additional 2 weeks.

Other symptoms occasionally associated with the primary infection of herpetic whitlow include fever, red streaks radiating from the finger, swollen lymph nodes in the elbow or underarm area and pain upon sun exposure.

Treatment of Herpetic Whitlow

First of all visit your doctor for a suspected herpes infected finger. Your doctor may confirm your diagnosis by taking a sample from an active sore or through blood tests.  Apply a topical medication if one is prescribed for management of the first outbreak of herpetic whitlow. Take oral anti-viral medications as prescribed by your doctor at the beginning of future outbreaks. The advantage of visiting a doctor for this condition is that prescription medications can be on hand to manage future symptoms and is key in limiting the length and severity of an outbreak. Take over-the-counter painkillers to manage pain associated with herpetic whitlow.

Precautions

Be careful not to touch others with a herpes infected finger during an outbreak. Also, exercise caution when touching other parts of your body during an outbreak, as you risk spreading the infection. Do not touch the infected area outside of treatment. Cover the infected area with bandages.  Avoid touching other body parts (for example, your eyes, nose, and mouth) with infected fingers.  Wear glasses instead of contact lenses to avoid transmitting the virus to your eyes.  Health care providers should use gloves, observe universal fluid precautions and limit contact with patients or patient environments until blisters on the fingers heal.  By observing these precautions, one can quickly heal from Herpetic Whitlow.

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What is Herpetic Whitlow?

Herpetic Whitlow is a skin infection caused by the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). It usually appears on the end of a finger, most often on the index finger, or the thumb. It can affect more than one finger at a time.

Herpetic Whitlow can be spread through skin-to-skin contact from another person who has active symptoms of HSV. For example, if you have a cut on your finger and you come into contact with someone who has an open HSV blister. HSV can spread to your finger or thumb from a different part of your body that is infected such as your genitals (genital herpes).

What are symptoms of herpetic whitlow?

Symptoms of herpetic whitlow mostly affect your finger or thumb. They include:

• A burning or tingling sensation

• Swelling and redness

• Itching

• One or a group of small fluid- or pus-filled blisters

• Pain, which can be severe

Once symptoms start, they last between 7 to 10 days. After this, the blisters will begin to crust over and heal and symptoms will begin to improve.

What are the causes of Herpetic Whitlow?

Herpetic Whitlow can be caused by two different types of herpes simplex virus either HSV-1 or HSV-2. The common strain found in people with Herpetic Whitlow, about 6 in 10, is caused by HSV-1.  In about 4 in 10 people, it is caused by HSV-2.

In children, Herpetic Whitlow is generally caused by HSV-1. This can happen if a child has a cold sore (oral herpes) and sucks his or her thumb or fingers. The HSV can then spread through a small cut in the skin.

What is the treatment for Herpetic Whitlow?

Herpetic Whitlow usually clears up by itself within three to four weeks, so any treatments from your GP will be to relieve your symptoms and to stop the infection spreading to other areas of your body.

What is the prevention of Herpetic Whitlow?

The best practice to reduce your risk of getting Herpetic Whitlow is by avoiding exposure to people with active symptoms of HSV. For example, a healthcare worker who regularly has contact with people with open HSV-infected sores, should always wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly. If a child has cold sores around his or her mouth, make sure to wash your hands immediately after contact with active sores.  Also, Herpetic Whitlow can be spread from sexual contact with genital herpes, so it is best to avoid sexual contact until the infection has cleared up.

If Herpetic Whitlow starts, the infection can be controlled from spreading to other areas of your body or to other people by not:

• Touching the infected area instead, cover it with a bandage

• Holding hands

• Sharing towels or flannels that have come into contact with the infected area

• Wearing contact lenses instead, wear glasses because it is possible to contaminate your lenses with HSV and spread it to the eyes

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Introduction

Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection of the hands or fingers resulting from contact with an individual experiencing a herpes simplex virus 1 (which results in oral herpes) or herpes simplex 2 (which results in genital herpes) outbreak. Two-and-a-half to five individuals per 100,000 are affected each year. Children are most commonly infected with herpes whitlow, however health-care providers and dentists are also commonly infected. Herpes simplex 1 accounts for 60% of the cases in a given year, while herpes simplex 2 accounts for 40%.

Symptoms

Herpes whitlow occurs when an individual touches their own lesions or from touching another’s lesions. It is not uncommon for children to develop this viral infection as a result of sucking their thumb or fingers during an outbreak.

Herpes whitlow presents itself as several small, red, swollen, fluid-filled blisters on a finger, fingers, or hand. The individual may also have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and red streaks radiating from the blisters.

Complications

In herpetic whitlow, it’s possible for the infection to spread to other fingers, or to your eyes if you touch or rub them with your infected finger.

If you have a weakened immune system, the herpetic whitlow infection can be severe and cause serious complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of your brain). It’s therefore important to seek urgent medical advice if your immune system is weakened and you have symptoms of herpetic whitlow.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves easing the discomfort resulting from the lesions, shortening the outbreak period, and preventing future outbreaks. Outbreaks can last from one to three weeks, but usually last 7 to 10 days. During an outbreak, the individual can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Children should only be given Tylenol, because aspirin can result in the child developing Reye’s syndrome. Cold compresses are also helpful in reducing pain.

A doctor may prescribe antiviral pills such as Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or Famciclovir. Topical Acyclovir ointment can also be used to shorten the period of outbreak, and to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.

Prevention

During an outbreak, the infected individual should not share personal items such as towels, toothbrushes, makeup or eating utensils. He should wash his hands regularly and avoid transmitting the virus via person-to-person contact. It is essential that he not pick, pop, rub or scratch the lesions, but allow them to heal. A bandage should be worn to protect the lesions and prevent infecting others. Health-care providers and dentists should always wear protective gloves to prevent the transmission of herpetic whitlow, either from others to themselves or from themselves to others.

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Herpetic Whitlow, an introduction

Herpetic whitlow is a skin infection of the fingers, most commonly found on the tips of the thumb and index finger. Herpetic whitlow is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), often called the herpes virus.

Symptoms of Herpetic Whitlow

At first, the symptoms of herpetic whitlow are burning or tingling sensations in the thumb and fingers. Later symptoms include swelling and redness, itching, one or more blisters that burst and crust, and pain that can be severe. Fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and feeling generally unwell, are also possible.

According to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) symptoms typically last between 7 and 10 days. It is possible to have symptoms of infection more than once, even without being exposed to the virus again. This is called recurrent infection. Up to half of people infected may get recurrent infections, which are normally less severe and do not last as long as the initial infection.

an Infected Herpetic Whitlow Finger

Causes of Herpetic Whitlow

You can get herpetic whitlow from skin-to-skin contact with another person’s herpes blisters or cold sores, or from contact with your own herpes blisters or cold sores. The virus enters the finger through a break in the skin, such as a cut or torn cuticle. Herpetic whitlow is common among health care workers who regularly come into contact with the virus, and in children who have the virus and suck their fingers or thumb.

To Diagnose Herpetic Whitlow

A health care provider will be able to diagnose herpetic whitlow by examining the affected fingers and asking about symptoms, any past infections that were similar, or past infections of the mouth, lips, or around the genitals.

Treatment of Herpetic Whitlow

Symptoms of herpetic whitlow typically clear up by themselves. A health care provider may prescribe medications, such as acyclovir, to relieve symptoms. This helps the infection clear more quickly, and prevents recurrent infection. Common pain killers, such as ibuprofen, can be used to manage any pain or discomfort. Consult a health care provider prior to taking any medications.

Prevention of Herpetic Whitlow

There are several ways to decrease the risk of getting herpetic whitlow:

• Wash hands often with soap and water

• Do not hold hands with or touch the hands of others who have active symptoms

• Do not share towels, washcloths, or other toiletry items with others

• Health care providers should use gloves and observe universal fluid precautions

There are several ways to decrease the risk of spreading herpetic whitlow     further or to others:

• Do not touch the infected area

• Cover the infected area with plaster or bandages

• Avoid touching other body parts (for example, your eyes, nose, and mouth) with infected fingers

• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses to avoid transmitting the virus to your eyes

• Health care providers should use gloves, observe universal fluid precautions and limit contact with patients or patient environments until blisters on the fingers heal

Taking proper precautions and using the related treatment discussed above, we can safeguard ourselves and our families form the contagious disease of Herpetic Whitlow.

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