Herpetic whitlow
A herpetic whitlow is a herpes lesion, typically on a finger or thumb, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Occasionally infection occurs on the toes or on the nail cuticle. Herpes whitlow can be caused by infection by HSV-1 or HSV-2. HSV-1 whitlow is often contracted by health care workers that come in contact with the virus; it is most commonly contracted by dental workers and medical workers exposed to oral secretions. It is also often observed in thumb-sucking children with primary HSV-1 oral infection prior to seroconversion, and in adults aged 20 to 30 following contact with HSV-2-infected genitals.
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include swelling, reddening, and tenderness of the infected part. This may be accompanied by fever and swollen lymph nodes. Small, clear vesicles initially form individually, then merge and become cloudy, unlike in bacterial whitlow when there is pus. Associated pain often seems largely relative to the physical symptoms. The herpes whitlow lesion usually heals in two to three weeks. It may reside in axillary sensory ganglia to cause recurrent herpetic lesions on that arm or digits. Blistering can occur in severe cases.Causes
In children the primary source of infection is the orofacial area, and it is commonly inferred that the virus is transferred by the cutting, chewing or sucking of fingernail or thumbnail.In adults, it is more common for the primary source to be the genital region, with a corresponding preponderance of HSV-2. It is also seen in adult health care workers such as dentists because of increased exposure to the herpes virus.
Contact sports are also a potential source of infection with herpetic whitlows.