whitlow

Infected digit tip

A whitlow is a painful infection at the tip of a finger or toe, usually around or under the nail.

The swelling fills with pus and throbs intensely.

Also called a felon when it affects the fingertip pad.

The hangnail she'd been picking at turned into a whitlow.

infection

herpetic

Relating to blister-causing virus

paronychiaNail fold infection
felonSerious crime perpetrator
pusInfected tissue fluid

abscess · staphylococcus · streptococcus · bacterial · viral · herpes simplex · cellulitis · sepsis · contagious · pustule

anatomy

finger

Hand's grasping extension

thumbShort opposable digit
toeFoot's small digit
nailMetal fastener or keratin plate

cuticle · nailbed · digit · phalanx · knuckle · hand · foot · nail plate · fingertip

treatment

antibiotics

Bacteria-destroying medicines

antiviralAgent blocking viral spread
acyclovirAntiviral herpes medication
incisionControlled cut into tissue

drainage · debridement · soaking · elevation · bandage · dressing · topical · oral · surgical · lancing

symptoms

throbbing

Rhythmic painful pulsing

swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
rednessCrimson-hued state
inflammationProtective tissue response

tender · painful · blistering · ulceration · edema · erythema · discharge · fever · warmth · sensitivity

Categories

bacterial infectionsanthrax, botulism, cholera, diphtheria, lockjaw
digit ailmentsbroken toe, hammer toe, hammertoe, ingrown toenail, bunion
Hand Ailmentstrigger finger, carpal tunnel, jammed finger, broken finger, finger fracture
skin conditionseczema, psoriasis, hives, dermatitis, rash
abscessesskin abscess, dental abscess, liver abscess, boil, furuncle
Herpes Virusesherpes, herpesvirus, cold sore, cold sores, genital herpes

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Rated G