What Is a Herpes Whitlow?
Herpes is a very common virus and it has several forms. If you have suspicions, then I recommend visiting the clinic. Herpes testing is the only thing that can accurately diagnose and classify the virus. Treatment is usually prescribed comprehensive and takes three to 6 months to identify a possible relapse.
A herpes whitlow is a sore on a finger caused by exposure to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Most commonly, HSV-I is the causative agent behind a herpes whitlow. The sore is usually very painful, but not dangerous, and it will resolve on its own, although patients are sometimes provided with a topical antiviral to use to hasten healing. People with herpes need to be careful about handling active outbreaks, especially if they have broken skin on their hands, as this can result in the development of a herpes whitlow. This sore typically appears red and swollen, and sometimes ruptures after forming a blister. The patient may have difficulty bending the finger if the whitlow is located near a joint. Herpes whitlows form when people handle a herpes outbreak around the mouth or genitals and fail to wash their hands properly. The virus can enter broken skin on the hand, such as a torn cuticle, and will create a small secondary sore.
