Illness name: herpetic whitlow
Description:
Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger) is a painful infection of the finger caused by the herpes virus. It's easily treated but can come back.
A herpetic whitlow can appear anywhere on your finger, but it usually affects the top of your finger (fingertip).
Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include:
Scott Camazine / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/herpetic-whitlow-infection-of-finger-image3568453.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=761D42AF-356E-4F8E-8FB8-78A3640FA705&p=9949&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dA44K46%26qt_raw%3dA44K46%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%7bA883FDE5-7F3D-4472-81F5-B61111916852%7d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d0%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/257432/view
Treatment is more effective if started early and will help stop the infection spreading.
You may be prescribed antiviral tablets if you see a GP within 48 hours of your symptoms showing.
Antiviral tablets can help your finger to heal more quickly.
If you cannot see a GP within 48 hours, the infection will go away without treatment within 2 to 4 weeks. But there are things you can do yourself to help.
keep the affected finger clean and covered with a dressing
take painkillers, such as
paracetamol
or
ibuprofen
, to ease the pain
try to discourage children with a whitlow from sucking their thumb
do not touch the infected finger
do not touch other people with your infected finger to avoid spreading the infection
do not try to drain the fluid by squeezing the affected area
do not touch other areas of your body with the infected finger, particularly your eyes – if you wear contact lenses, use the hand that’s not affected to put them in and take them out, or wear glasses until the infection has healed
Go back to the GP if your infection gets worse or if you have a very high temperature (you feel hot and shivery).
Herpetic whitlow is caused by a virus called herpes simplex. You can get it if you touch a cold sore or blister of another infected person.
You're more likely to get herpetic whitlow if you've had cold sores or genital herpes.
You may also get it if you have a weakened immune system – for example, if you have diabetes or you're having chemotherapy.
The first time you have herpetic whitlow will usually be the most severe.
Once you have the virus, it stays in your body for the rest of your life.
The condition is rare, but if you get it once you can get it again. For example, it might come back if you have a cut or sore on your finger, or if you're feeling stressed or unwell.
There's not much you can do to prevent herpetic whitlow but it can be treated in the same way if it comes back.
Page last reviewed: 06 November 2020
Herpetic whitlow (whitlow finger)
Check if you have herpetic whitlow
Non-urgent advice:
See a GP if you think you have herpetic whitlow
Treatment from a GP
Things you can do if you have herpetic whitlow
Do
Don’t
Important:
If your infection gets worse
Causes of herpetic whitlow
Herpetic whitlow can come back
Next review due: 06 November 2023