Herpetic Whitlow
Herpetic whitlow is a skin disorder which affects the fingers and is caused by herpes simplex virus. The condition starts as tiny, red, elevated spots on the skin which deteriorates and turns into a distressing lesion. Patients of herpetic whitlow often experience severe pain which can cause interruption of daily activities.
Herpetic whitlow can be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2. It affects both the genders as well as any age group that come into contact with this virus. The incidence rate for herpetic whitlow in the United States is rare and can be seen in 5 out of 100,000 people.
http://www.Symptoms-Causes-treatment.blogspot.com detect diseases at an early stage symptoms, and find out the causes and treatments best suited.
The symptoms of herpetic whitlow tend to develop over a course of 2 to 20 days, after initial contact with the virus. Some of the signs and symptoms of herpetic whitlow are as follows:
There are two kinds of HSV, i.e. herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-2 infections generally affect the genitals or the buttocks, while HSV-1 infections typically appear around the nose, lips, mouth, or face. It may also be noted that HSV-2 can sometimes affect the nose, lips, mouth or face, while HSV-1 can occasionally affect the buttocks or the genitals.
Two forms of infections, i.e. primary and recurring, are caused by both kinds of HSV. The extremely contagious nature of the virus means that a majority of individuals who come into contact with the virus end up with a primary infection. It may also be noted that only about 20 percent of the individuals with primary HSV infections eventually develop noticeable sores and blisters.
Individuals may develop cases of herpetic whitlow are they are exposed to parts of the body which are infected by the herpes simplex virus. Such infections may be present on some other person, on one’s own body.The virus generally enters the body via a tear in the skin, such as a broken cuticle at the lower end of a fingernail. The virus will then establish the infection across the finger tissue. About sixty percent of herpetic whitlow cases are caused due to HSV-1 infections, while the rest 40 percent are caused by HSV-2.
There are some triggers which can cause a dormant virus to become active and return to the skin. The triggers include exposure to sun, illness or fever, stress, hormonal changes like those observed during pregnancy or menstruation, surgery, or trauma. Recurring cases of herpetic whitlow may never occur, or they may recur after every few weeks.
It may be noted that herpetic whitlow can occur in individuals of all races, genders, and ages. However, it is more widespread in children and medical and dental professionals.
Herpetic whitlow is a self-limiting condition and generally disappears on its own after a few weeks. Patients may follow the below listed self-care guidelines to treat the skin disorder:
Medical care for herpetic whitlow includes:
Photos and images of Herpetic Whitlow
Herpetic whitlow is a skin disorder which affects the fingers and is caused by herpes simplex virus. The condition starts as tiny, red, elevated spots on the skin which deteriorates and turns into a distressing lesion. Patients of herpetic whitlow often experience severe pain which can cause interruption of daily activities.
Herpetic whitlow can be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2. It affects both the genders as well as any age group that come into contact with this virus. The incidence rate for herpetic whitlow in the United States is rare and can be seen in 5 out of 100,000 people.
http://www.Symptoms-Causes-treatment.blogspot.com detect diseases at an early stage symptoms, and find out the causes and treatments best suited.
Symptoms of herpetic whitlow
The symptoms of herpetic whitlow tend to develop over a course of 2 to 20 days, after initial contact with the virus. Some of the signs and symptoms of herpetic whitlow are as follows:
- Exhaustion, fatigue, and flushed state are the first symptoms of herpetic whitlow
- Patients may then feel unusual symptoms and physical discomfort of the infected finger
- In most cases, the physical pain will be followed by formation of blisters after about a week. These blisters comprise of fluids which burst open and result in sores.
- Most patients recover from herpetic whitlow after 2 or 3 weeks
- The lymph nodes present below the armpits may elicit abnormal tenderness.
- Most cases of herpetic whitlow show symptoms similar to other herpes virus infections. The skin condition is most prone to recurrence when the patient experiences ill health in the future. After a successful recovery from herpetic whitlow, the virus moves to Schwann and peripheral ganglia cells and remains dormant. As opposed to first time infections, a recurrent cases of herpetic whitlow are less discomforting. They also resolve faster.
Causes of herpetic whitlow
There are two kinds of HSV, i.e. herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). HSV-2 infections generally affect the genitals or the buttocks, while HSV-1 infections typically appear around the nose, lips, mouth, or face. It may also be noted that HSV-2 can sometimes affect the nose, lips, mouth or face, while HSV-1 can occasionally affect the buttocks or the genitals.
Two forms of infections, i.e. primary and recurring, are caused by both kinds of HSV. The extremely contagious nature of the virus means that a majority of individuals who come into contact with the virus end up with a primary infection. It may also be noted that only about 20 percent of the individuals with primary HSV infections eventually develop noticeable sores and blisters.
Individuals may develop cases of herpetic whitlow are they are exposed to parts of the body which are infected by the herpes simplex virus. Such infections may be present on some other person, on one’s own body.The virus generally enters the body via a tear in the skin, such as a broken cuticle at the lower end of a fingernail. The virus will then establish the infection across the finger tissue. About sixty percent of herpetic whitlow cases are caused due to HSV-1 infections, while the rest 40 percent are caused by HSV-2.
There are some triggers which can cause a dormant virus to become active and return to the skin. The triggers include exposure to sun, illness or fever, stress, hormonal changes like those observed during pregnancy or menstruation, surgery, or trauma. Recurring cases of herpetic whitlow may never occur, or they may recur after every few weeks.
It may be noted that herpetic whitlow can occur in individuals of all races, genders, and ages. However, it is more widespread in children and medical and dental professionals.
- Children often get affected by herpetic whitlow due to the act of finger or thumb sucking, when a herpes infection in present in their mouth or lips.
- Medical or dental professionals may get affected by herpetic whitlow due to contact with the contagious blisters of a patient with HSV infection.
- Health care providers and children generally contract herpetic whitlow due to HSV-1 infections, while others may develop the condition due to HSV-2 infection.
Treatment of herpetic whitlow
Herpetic whitlow is a self-limiting condition and generally disappears on its own after a few weeks. Patients may follow the below listed self-care guidelines to treat the skin disorder:
- Painkillers may be taken to alleviate the pain as well as to reduce the fever.
- Application of ice packs or cool compresses may also help ease the discomfort and the swelling.
- As herpetic whitlow is very contagious, patients should follow certain steps to prevent the transfer of the virus either during the initial stages or during the active stage. Patients should avoid popping the blisters or sharing their personal items with others. They should also cover the affected digits with a bandage.
Medical care for herpetic whitlow includes:
- Antiviral medications can stop the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
- Prescription pain killers may be used for severe pain
- Secondary infections of the blisters and sores can be treated with antibiotics
Herpetic Whitlow Pictures
Photos and images of Herpetic Whitlow
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