Have you ever had whitlow sometime before? if no, i bet you ll not want to witness this very painful inflammatory finger/nail  infection.

What is whitlow? : Whitlow also known as paronychia is an infection of the tip of the finger. It can be intensely painful, and it can feel as if the area infected is squashed, pinched, and about to burst. For children, it can be very hard to calm their pain. This is a serious infection that prevents you from doing most of your daily chores, at this time you will definitely appreciate the enormous importance of your little finger. 

What causes whitlow:  whitlow is cause primarily by a type of virus known as herpes simplex virus type (1/2), and it can also be caused by bacteria or fungi.

 Whitlow can be caused by nail biting, thumb sucking, dishwashing,palm oil processing mill, manicuring, diabetes mellitus, contact with chemicals, or being in an occupation requiring your hands to be in water frequently (e.g., dentists, nurses, doctors, beauty therapists, etc.). 

Signs and symptoms of whitlow:  

Swelling around the fingernail

Redness

A rash

A pus-filled white or off-white blister or abscess forms next to the fingernail

Tenderness, pain is noticeable, with increases in intensity if left untreated.

Fever or chills may also be present.

How can whitlow be treated?

Home remedies:

 Soak the infected area. Fill a bowl with fifty percent warm water and fifty percent liquid anti-bacterial soap. Soak the finger in this for 15 minutes, 3–4 times daily. This is best started at the first signs of redness appearing around the nail.

Use magnesium sulphate  paste, clean the infected area using a suitable antiseptic. Apply a generous amount of magnesium sulphate paste available from all chemists. Cover with lint or cotton wool, then bandage. Change daily and repeat.

Use analgesic like tramadol or paracetamol to lessen the pain while the inflammatory process also subsides. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist, as you'll probably need antibiotics.

Things to do to avoid getting whitlow:

The following measures should assist with preventing a repeat infection:

• Use clean towels and change all linen, especially if you are experiencing an oral/genital herpes outbreak.
• Stop biting your fingernails or sucking thumbs or fingers, especially if you have herpes simplex virus 1 or 2.
• During an oral or genital herpes outbreak, wash hands thoroughly after using the restroom or touching the face/genital area.
• Take care when cutting nails to not cut the quick or skin.
• During a HSV outbreak, cover even a small break in the skin with a bandage in order to prevent spreading of the HSV to the broken skin.

Thanks for the rapt attention.