What Is Whitlow?
Whitlow is an abscess in the soft tissue near a fingernail or toenail. It is also associated with sucking or chewing the thumb or fingers or nail biting. A whitlow can occur when broken skin on your finger comes in direct contact with body fluids infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can also be a complication of wound on the finger skin drawn downwards to remove the wound. It usually affects the fleshy areas of the fingertip. These body fluids might have come from you or from someone else. Whitlow is extremely painful and contagious (easily spread by direct contact with injured skin infected with HSV). The tingling sensation caused from the whitlow is extremely bad.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of whitlow include intense pain, itching, swelling or redness on the fingertips. Small blisters can also be seen. Other general symptoms accompanying whitlow include swollen lymph nodes, fever and red streaking on arms. If these symptoms are seen, they are an indication of a significant infection.
Home Remedies
- Hot Water Therapy
This is my best way of treating whitlow and in fact any inflammation that happens on the fingernails and toenails or in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Gradually dipping any of these in hot water does the magic. But you have to do it properly as described hereunder. You should start from cold water to warm water and then to hot water. Usually, the whitlow gives signs when it is developing. You should not allow it to be full blown before you apply this hot water therapy . Uncountable number of times, I noticed the signs of it but this hot water therapy helped me deal with it. Immediately you notice that there is inflammation on any of your fingers or any of the other mentioned areas, pay attention. If after many hours the inflammation or pain continues, it is time to apply the hot water therapy. The idea of the hot water is to make the spot inhabitable for any virus or bacteria. Once you succeed in making the spot inhabitable, new tissues will grow afterwards quickly to replace the wounded spot. So, get a pot that is spacious enough for you to dip your fingers or palm into (depending on where you are having the inflammation). Pour enough water that will cover the affected area. Start heating the water and dip in the affected area while the water is still cold. Hold the affected area in the water as it heats up. When you begin to feel the heat very well, turn off the fire (or stove) while still keeping the affected area inside the pot. Allow the affected area to remain in the hot water for as long as you can bear. When you can no longer bear the heat, take out your hand, ease off and dip in again. When you dip in again, hold it for as long as you can bear and take it out. Continue doing this until the water cools down or until you feel some relief. You may have to do this hot water therapy two to three times more before you are completely relieved from the impending whitlow. Trust me, two to three times of well-executed hot water therapy will set you free from anything whitlow. The hot water can be a bit painful and that is why you need to start from cold water. The pain you will experience is better than going to the doctor and waiting in a long queue or maybe having an operation in the finger, not to talk of the cost involved. The figure below shows how to do it if it is a problem in the palm of the left hand (image left) at or the left thumb (image right).
- Lime/Lemon
Both fruits have similar effect and the same use. Take a lemon or lime and make a hole into it. Now, insert the affected finger into this hole for about 10 minutes and it should be done twice daily for quick healing.
- Anti-Bacterial Solution
Pour warm water into a bowl (enough to cover the hand) and add anti-bacterial liquid soap. Dip your wounded fingers in this solution for about 15 minutes. Do this three times daily. This therapy gives best result when signs of redness appear first around the nail.
- Rice Flour and Linseed Oil
Make a poultice from rice flour and linseed oil. Wrap this poultice to the affected area for quick relief.
- Chebulic Mryoblan
Prepare a concoction using Chebulic myroblan and tamarind juice. The astringent and acidic action of this concoction helps in stopping the pains of the whitlow. This concoction should be applied on the affected area.
- Breadfruit Tree Fluid
The fluid from a breadfruit tree is a good remedy for whitlow. Cut off a part of the bark and get the milky fluid issuing from it. Pour this fluid on the affected place and watch it work on it. this is best used for its capacity to return the finger to its normal shape, leaving no damage to finger shape afterwards.
- Petroleum Motor Spirit
Dipping your finger in PMS comes with a painful sensation but helps to treat whitlow.
Bignedu
Note: Though the above is verifiable, it is only a general information and is neither a professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care nor is it a substitute thereof. The piece does not cover all conditions or remedies associated with the illness. Make effort to consult with your physician or other qualified health personnel as necessary. Please see our Terms & Conditions at the footer area.
