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.

What causes a whitlow?

Herpetic whitlow, or whitlow finger, is a painful infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are different strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), including HSV-1, the main cause of cold sores, and HSV-2, the main cause of genital herpes. Both of these strains can cause herpetic whitlow.

How do you treat a whitlow?

1. taking a pain reliever — such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen — to help reduce pain and fever.
2. applying a cold compress several times a day to help reduce swelling.
3. cleaning the affected area daily and covering it with gauze.