Whitlow: Difference between revisions

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== Clinical Presentation  ==
== Clinical Presentation  ==


The finger may present with;
The fidognger may present with;
* Tingling
* Tingling
* Itchy feeling
* Itchy feeling
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* Redness, warmth or swelling
* Redness, warmth or swelling
The body may present generally with;
The body may present generally with;
* Fever
* Lymphangitis
* Blisters and sores on other parts of the body
* Enlarged lymph nodes in the arm
High fever (temperature over 101 Fahrenheit) and confusion/lack of concentration may indicate serious infection/progression of the disease.


== Diagnostic Procedures  ==
== Diagnostic Procedures  ==

Revision as of 12:33, 18 October 2020

Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Kehinde Fatola, Joao Costa, Shaimaa Eldib and Temitope Olowoyeye

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Whitlow is a very painful and infectious viral disease of the thumb and fingertips. Rarely, it infects the toes and nail cuticle. It is a self-limiting disease and it is of two types - Herpetic Whitlow and Melanotic Whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is more prevalent of the two. It is a disease of the hand.

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process[edit | edit source]

Herpetic whitlow is caused by the Herpetic Simplex Virus (HSV). HSV are of two types - Type 1 and type 2. They are both known to cause whitlow. Herpetic whitlow is caused when a wounded and exposed skin comes in contact with body fluids contaminated with HSV. It may also be caused by bacterial fingertip infection.

Risk factors include;

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection
  • Nail biting habit
  • Wounded finger with exposed skin surface
  • Career in health care profession

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

The fidognger may present with;

  • Tingling
  • Itchy feeling
  • Burning sensation
  • Blisters
  • Redness, warmth or swelling

The body may present generally with;

  • Fever
  • Lymphangitis
  • Blisters and sores on other parts of the body
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in the arm

High fever (temperature over 101 Fahrenheit) and confusion/lack of concentration may indicate serious infection/progression of the disease.

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to diagnostic tests for the condition

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

add links to outcome measures here (see Outcome Measures Database)

Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to management approaches to the condition

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Resources[edit | edit source]

add appropriate resources here

References[edit | edit source]