How to Treat Whitlow
Recall if you've had contact with someone who has herpes.Herpes simplex virus is very common and highly contagious., Look for early symptoms., Observe more typical whitlow symptoms in the disease phase.Once the initial prodrome phase has passed, you...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Recall if you've had contact with someone who has herpes.Herpes simplex virus is very common and highly contagious.
HSV
-1 commonly affects the face, and often causes cold sores (painful blisters on the lips).
HSV-2 tends to cause painful genital blisters.
HSV-1 can spread through kissing or oral sex, while HSV-2 can spread through skin to skin contact with infected genitals.
Be aware that HSV can have a long-dormant period.
You may have contracted herpes long ago, but the virus may have stayed dormant in the nerve cells where it resides.
Stress and lack of immunity (getting sick) are common triggers for activation of the virus from the dormant phase.
Even if you can't remember ever being in contact with someone with HSV-1, consider if you've ever had a cold sore or fever blister. -
Step 2: Look for early symptoms.
In the "prodrome" or early phase of any disease, symptoms indicate the onset of a condition.
For whitlow, these symptoms usually appear 2 to 20 days after initial exposure, and include:
Fever Fatigue Unusual pain Numbness Tingling in the area, These vesicles may merge and take on a black/brown color.
Ulceration, or a break in the skin, may develop later.
Symptoms can resolve from anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks. , Since whitlow is a more of a clinical diagnosis, the medical staff might not order any additional tests.
Instead, the doctor will take your symptoms and medical history — including an HSV diagnosis — into consideration to diagnose whitlow.
The doctor may also take a tube of your blood to order a complete blood count (CBC) with a differential (a count of your white blood cells).
This will let them see if you have enough immune cells to fight infections, or if you have an underlying immune dysfunction that causes reoccurring infections.
The doctor may want to test for herpes if you haven't been diagnosed with it.
They may analyze your blood for herpes antibodies, order a PCR test (for the detection of herpes DNA), and/or order a viral culture (to see if actual herpes virus is growing from your blood)., If whitlow is diagnosed within 48 hours after the symptoms start, the doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to you.
The medicine might be topical (a cream) or oral (pills), and it will lessen the severity of the infection and promote quicker healing.Thus, it's crucial that you seek immediate medical advice.
Commonly prescribed medications include topical acyclovir 5%, oral acyclovir, oral Famciclovir or valacyclovir.
Take the medications as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Dosages will be adjusted for children, but the treatments will remain the same. , In particular, avoid touching body parts that contain fluids or bodily secretions.
These include the eyes, mouth, tongue, genitals, ears, and breast.
If you wear contacts, don't wear them until the infection has resolved.
Touching the contacts, then inserting them into your eyes, could infect the eye. , You can do this easily at home, too, by buying the bandages or wraps from your local pharmacy.
To keep the wrap fresh, change it daily.
To be extra safe, your doctor may advise you to both wrap the infected area and wear a glove over it. , It can be difficult enough to be conscious of your hands as an adult, but children often find it quite difficult.
You don't want them sucking on infected fingers, touching their eyes, or any other areas of the body that contain or carry bodily fluids.
Even after wrapping the infected area, watch them closely to make sure everything is as it should be. , They should ease pain while the infection heals by reducing inflammation to the area.
If you saw a doctor within 48 hours of noticing the symptoms, the doctor might not recommend anything beyond pain medication.
Children and teenagers with viral infections are advised not to take aspirin.
There's a risk of developing a multi-organ fatal condition known as Reye’s syndrome.
Seek expert medical advice before taking over-the-counter pain meds for viral infections.
Take all medications as described either by your healthcare provider or on the label.
Be careful not to exceed the maximum daily dose. , Whitlow is a viral infection, but you can compound the issue with a bacterial infection (this can appear dark, have an odor, and may have a whitish pus discharge).
The doctors will order a complete blood count with differential (to detect immune cells or white blood cells) if they suspect bacterial infection.
The white blood cells will be high if you have a bacterial infection.
They may reorder this test after you've completed your antibiotic course to check for normal levels of white blood cells.
This isn't always necessary if symptoms have calmed and they have no further suspicion. , A doctor will likely want to confirm a bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotic treatment.
This is because overuse of antibiotics can cause bacteria to adapt and become resistant to treatment.
However, once bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotic treatment is very simple.Always follow your doctor or the label's directions precisely.
Make sure to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms seem to resolve. , You may be tempted to pick at or try to burst the vesicles, just as people can't resist the urge to pop pimples.
However, this makes the wound open to bacterial infection.Furthermore, the released fluid carries the virus, and can spread the viral infection further. , This is best used when painful lesions start appearing on the infected area.
You can add salt or epsom salt to the water to help with relief.
The concentrated salt will diminish swelling in the effected area.
Fill a container deep enough for the infected area with warm water.
Soak the infected area for 15 minutes.
Repeat as the pain reoccurs.
When finished, wrap the area with a dry bandage wrap to prevent disease transmission. , If you've tried to burst or drain a vesicle, you can add regular or antibacterial soap to the warm water when you soak the area.While you may opt for antibacterial soap, studies suggest that regular soap works just as well at protecting against bacteria and infection.
Keeping soap in the water can help prevent the spread of the condition as fluid from the infection mixes in with the water. , Magnesium sulphate paste can help with the pain and swelling associated with whitlow.
Though this is widely documented, the exact reason behind this effect is still unclear.
In a study published 2008, a group of patients with HSV 1 or 2 were treated with a mixture that included magnesium.
The results showed that over 95% had resolution of symptoms within 7 days.To properly use magnesium paste, first clean the infected area using a suitable antiseptic.
Examples include isopropyl alcohol, alcohol prep pad or soap.
Apply a generous amount of magnesium sulphate paste.
You can buy this product at any pharmacy.
Cover the pasted area with lint or cotton wool, then bandage it.
Change the bandage daily, and applying fresh paste each time. , It will also slow blood flow to the area, reducing any inflammation or swelling that would contribute to the pain.
You can either buy an ice pack from the pharmacy, or just wrap some ice cubes in a towel.
Gently apply the pack to the infected area. , This can be challenging, but making an effort can help prevent future outbreaks.
HSV can lie dormant in nerve cells for quite some time, but stress can activate it.Thus, avoiding stress can be the key to avoiding whitlow.
Some options to deal with stress and boost the immune system include eating healthier, getting a good night sleep, and exercising regularly. -
Step 3: Observe more typical whitlow symptoms in the disease phase.Once the initial prodrome phase has passed
-
Step 4: you will see far more specific symptoms that point clearly to whitlow: Swelling
-
Step 5: redness
-
Step 6: and rash
-
Step 7: with fluid filled vesicles around the area.The vesicles may rupture
-
Step 8: and a white
-
Step 9: or bloody fluid will come out.
-
Step 10: Get a formal medical diagnosis.
-
Step 11: Take antiviral medication.
-
Step 12: Take precautions to prevent spreading the infection.Since the virus can spread through contact
-
Step 13: your healthcare provider may advise you not to touch others
-
Step 14: or even to avoid touching yourself with the infected finger.
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Step 15: Wrap the infected area.Your healthcare provider may wrap the infected area with a bandage
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Step 16: or any form of dry wrap with medical tape.
-
Step 17: Monitor children closely.
-
Step 18: Get pain medication if necessary.The doctor may provide or advise you to use over-the-counter pain medication like Advil
-
Step 19: Tylenol
-
Step 20: ibuprofen or aspirin.
-
Step 21: Ask the doctor to test for bacterial infection.If you try to burst or drain the vesicles on your finger on your own
-
Step 22: you give debris and bacteria opportunity to invade.
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Step 23: Take antibiotics as prescribed.
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Step 24: Do not pick at vesicles.
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Step 25: Soak the infected area.Warm water can provide pain relief from whitlow.
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Step 26: Add soap to the water for open blisters.
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Step 27: Apply magnesium sulphate paste.
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Step 28: Use an ice pack.The extreme cold will numb the nerves in the surrounding area
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Step 29: relieving the pain.
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Step 30: Reduce your stress levels.
Detailed Guide
HSV
-1 commonly affects the face, and often causes cold sores (painful blisters on the lips).
HSV-2 tends to cause painful genital blisters.
HSV-1 can spread through kissing or oral sex, while HSV-2 can spread through skin to skin contact with infected genitals.
Be aware that HSV can have a long-dormant period.
You may have contracted herpes long ago, but the virus may have stayed dormant in the nerve cells where it resides.
Stress and lack of immunity (getting sick) are common triggers for activation of the virus from the dormant phase.
Even if you can't remember ever being in contact with someone with HSV-1, consider if you've ever had a cold sore or fever blister.
In the "prodrome" or early phase of any disease, symptoms indicate the onset of a condition.
For whitlow, these symptoms usually appear 2 to 20 days after initial exposure, and include:
Fever Fatigue Unusual pain Numbness Tingling in the area, These vesicles may merge and take on a black/brown color.
Ulceration, or a break in the skin, may develop later.
Symptoms can resolve from anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks. , Since whitlow is a more of a clinical diagnosis, the medical staff might not order any additional tests.
Instead, the doctor will take your symptoms and medical history — including an HSV diagnosis — into consideration to diagnose whitlow.
The doctor may also take a tube of your blood to order a complete blood count (CBC) with a differential (a count of your white blood cells).
This will let them see if you have enough immune cells to fight infections, or if you have an underlying immune dysfunction that causes reoccurring infections.
The doctor may want to test for herpes if you haven't been diagnosed with it.
They may analyze your blood for herpes antibodies, order a PCR test (for the detection of herpes DNA), and/or order a viral culture (to see if actual herpes virus is growing from your blood)., If whitlow is diagnosed within 48 hours after the symptoms start, the doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to you.
The medicine might be topical (a cream) or oral (pills), and it will lessen the severity of the infection and promote quicker healing.Thus, it's crucial that you seek immediate medical advice.
Commonly prescribed medications include topical acyclovir 5%, oral acyclovir, oral Famciclovir or valacyclovir.
Take the medications as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
Dosages will be adjusted for children, but the treatments will remain the same. , In particular, avoid touching body parts that contain fluids or bodily secretions.
These include the eyes, mouth, tongue, genitals, ears, and breast.
If you wear contacts, don't wear them until the infection has resolved.
Touching the contacts, then inserting them into your eyes, could infect the eye. , You can do this easily at home, too, by buying the bandages or wraps from your local pharmacy.
To keep the wrap fresh, change it daily.
To be extra safe, your doctor may advise you to both wrap the infected area and wear a glove over it. , It can be difficult enough to be conscious of your hands as an adult, but children often find it quite difficult.
You don't want them sucking on infected fingers, touching their eyes, or any other areas of the body that contain or carry bodily fluids.
Even after wrapping the infected area, watch them closely to make sure everything is as it should be. , They should ease pain while the infection heals by reducing inflammation to the area.
If you saw a doctor within 48 hours of noticing the symptoms, the doctor might not recommend anything beyond pain medication.
Children and teenagers with viral infections are advised not to take aspirin.
There's a risk of developing a multi-organ fatal condition known as Reye’s syndrome.
Seek expert medical advice before taking over-the-counter pain meds for viral infections.
Take all medications as described either by your healthcare provider or on the label.
Be careful not to exceed the maximum daily dose. , Whitlow is a viral infection, but you can compound the issue with a bacterial infection (this can appear dark, have an odor, and may have a whitish pus discharge).
The doctors will order a complete blood count with differential (to detect immune cells or white blood cells) if they suspect bacterial infection.
The white blood cells will be high if you have a bacterial infection.
They may reorder this test after you've completed your antibiotic course to check for normal levels of white blood cells.
This isn't always necessary if symptoms have calmed and they have no further suspicion. , A doctor will likely want to confirm a bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotic treatment.
This is because overuse of antibiotics can cause bacteria to adapt and become resistant to treatment.
However, once bacterial infection is confirmed, antibiotic treatment is very simple.Always follow your doctor or the label's directions precisely.
Make sure to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms seem to resolve. , You may be tempted to pick at or try to burst the vesicles, just as people can't resist the urge to pop pimples.
However, this makes the wound open to bacterial infection.Furthermore, the released fluid carries the virus, and can spread the viral infection further. , This is best used when painful lesions start appearing on the infected area.
You can add salt or epsom salt to the water to help with relief.
The concentrated salt will diminish swelling in the effected area.
Fill a container deep enough for the infected area with warm water.
Soak the infected area for 15 minutes.
Repeat as the pain reoccurs.
When finished, wrap the area with a dry bandage wrap to prevent disease transmission. , If you've tried to burst or drain a vesicle, you can add regular or antibacterial soap to the warm water when you soak the area.While you may opt for antibacterial soap, studies suggest that regular soap works just as well at protecting against bacteria and infection.
Keeping soap in the water can help prevent the spread of the condition as fluid from the infection mixes in with the water. , Magnesium sulphate paste can help with the pain and swelling associated with whitlow.
Though this is widely documented, the exact reason behind this effect is still unclear.
In a study published 2008, a group of patients with HSV 1 or 2 were treated with a mixture that included magnesium.
The results showed that over 95% had resolution of symptoms within 7 days.To properly use magnesium paste, first clean the infected area using a suitable antiseptic.
Examples include isopropyl alcohol, alcohol prep pad or soap.
Apply a generous amount of magnesium sulphate paste.
You can buy this product at any pharmacy.
Cover the pasted area with lint or cotton wool, then bandage it.
Change the bandage daily, and applying fresh paste each time. , It will also slow blood flow to the area, reducing any inflammation or swelling that would contribute to the pain.
You can either buy an ice pack from the pharmacy, or just wrap some ice cubes in a towel.
Gently apply the pack to the infected area. , This can be challenging, but making an effort can help prevent future outbreaks.
HSV can lie dormant in nerve cells for quite some time, but stress can activate it.Thus, avoiding stress can be the key to avoiding whitlow.
Some options to deal with stress and boost the immune system include eating healthier, getting a good night sleep, and exercising regularly.
About the Author
Virginia Bennett
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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