A herpetic whitlow is an infection on a finger or thumb and occasionally on a toe.
It is caused by herpes simplex virus.
This is probably the most painful herpes infection any unfortunate victim could be forced to endure.
However, apart from unsupervised newly infected infants and children, the disease is fully preventable.
How is this Infection Transmitted?

1. Autoinoculation:Herpes whitlow is often transmitted by a process known as "autoinoculation".
   In other words, people newly infected with either oral or genital herpes can transfer the disease to their own finger or thumb by touching a primary herpes lesion on another part of their body.
   For instance, this is often observed in thumb-sucking children newly infected with cold sores.
   Alternatively, a person newly infected with genital herpes might touch an open lesion on the pelvic area and thereby contract a herpetic whitlow.
   "Why "primary" herpes lesion?As a result of the initial or "primary" infection, the body produces antibodies to the particular type of HSV involved, whether it's herpes simplex virus type 1, or herpes virus type 2.
   This process takes about six weeks, and it's known as "seroconversion".
   Approximately six weeks after the primary infection, the resultant antibodies will prevent a person transferring an additional form of their herpes virus to another part of their body.
   
2. Personal ContactAnyone could become infected with a herpetic whitlow by touching an active lesion on another person's body.
   This can be on the face, mouth or genital area.
   

Who Is At Risk? Any person coming into tactile contact with someone infected with the herpes virus, such as:

• Newly infected people as described above.
  
• People engaging is sexual activity with a partner infected with genital herpes.
  
• Dentists.
  
• Doctors.
  
• Nurses.
  
• Beauty therapists.
  
• Masseurs.
  
• People in the habit of biting their fingernails.
  

What Are The Symptoms? Symptoms usually occur anywhere from 2 to 20 days following tactile exposure to the virus.
Most commonly infected areas are the thumb and index finger.
Prodromal symptoms such as pain, itching, or numbness in the infected finger may occur a few hours to a couple of days before the breakout starts.
If a person contracts herpes for the first time, "prime" symptoms may include fever, malaise and/or swollen lymph nodes.
Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include:

• Swelling
• Reddening
• Tenderness

Followed by:

• A rash.
  
• Formation of small grouped vesicles (water filled blisters).
  
• Extreme ongoing pain.
  
• Eruption of vesicles.
  
• Followed by crusting over.
  
• And then healing after 2 to 3 weeks.
  

Treatment of Herpetic Whitlow

• Painkillers help to a certain extent.
  
• Ice packs reduce the swelling and pain during the initial stages.
  
• Topical antiviral creams such as acyclovir may accelerate healing by a day or two.
  
• Immediate oral antiviral treatment may abort painful eruptions or speed up the healing process.
  
• After eruption of the vesicles, a single application of "Dynamiclear" should clear up the infection within 72 hours.
  
• Alternatively, use the homeopathic oral spray, "Herpiset" three times a day while symptoms last.
  

You should never intentionally pop a herpes blister.
It will only intensify the infection and increase the chances of passing the virus on to others.
Prevention:

• Health care workers should always follow OSHA health care standards and wear latex gloves during contact with HSV positive patients.
  
• Avoid sharing towels, glassware, eating utensils or toothbrushes.
  
• Cover the affected finger with a bandage or cotton finger cover.
  
• Beauty therapists and Masseurs should avoid treating people infected with herpes lesions.