Do I Have Herpetic Whitlow?

Do you have a burning or tingling sensation in your finger?

Do you feel pain in your finger?

Do you have reddening and tenderness on your finger?

Do you have small, clear blisters that form individually on your finger?

Do you have blisters that merge together and become cloudy?

Do you have blisters that ooze fluid?

Do you have sores that crust over?

Do you have fever?

Do you have the red streaks radiating from the affected finger (lymphangitis)?

Do you have swollen lymph nodes in the elbow or underarm area?

Do you have the herpes simplex virus infection of the mouth area or of the genital area?

As far as you know, have you been in contact with someone who has the herpes simplex virus infection?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is a painful infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It usually affects the fingers or thumbs, but sporadically infection appears on the toes or on the cuticle of the nail. Herpetic whitlow can be caused by any of the two types of herpes simplex virus. It is most common in children and dental and medical workers who do not wear gloves regularly. In adults aged 20 to 30, herpetic whitlow is usually the result of contact with HSV-2-infected genitals. People who play contact sports are also at risk of herpetic whitlow.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is a viral infection of your fingers caused by the herpes simplex virus. About 60 percent of cases of herpetic whitlow are caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). It is also called finger herpes. It is highly contagious and can be easily spread by direct contact with an infected lesion on your skin or on the skin of another person. Herpetic whitlow can be similar to a felon (bacterial infection of the finger) or other viral skin infections, so please see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have herpetic whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is a painful infection of your fingers caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus can infect one or more fingers by entering through a crack in your skin. Your finger becomes sore, swollen and covered with tiny fluid-filled blisters. Herpetic whitlow can go away without treatment, but your doctor will recommend antiviral medications to shorten the length of infection. To prevent the infection from spreading to others, you should cover open or draining blisters on your finger. This infection can recur, but the first episode is the most severe.