Herpetic whitlow and heratitis
R. A. Eiferman, G. Adams, B. Stover and T. Wilkins
Two patients had herpes simplex infection of the fingertips (herpetic
whitlow) associated with herpetic keratitis. Both patients were health-care
professionals who probably acquired their disease from patients. Herpetic
whitlow can be distinguished from a paronychia by the lack of a tense pulp
space, formation of vesicles, and serous (rather than purulent) drainage.
The fingertip inflammation resolves spontaneously, leaving normal healthy
skin, in about two weeks.
