Herpes infection may appear on any part of the body. It is a viral disease, which can be caused eith...

1. Herpes on Hands
Herpes infection may appear on any part of the body. It is a viral disease, which can be caused
either by type 1 or type 2 herpes simplex virus. The infection is categorized according to the area of
infection. The most commonly seen are herpes zoster, oral herpes (also known as cold sores, fever
blisters), genital herpes, herpetic whitlow (commonly called herpes on hands), etc. It is also known
as digital herpes simplex, finger herpes, etc. The infection goes through a cycle of active and
remission phases. The active phase can last for anywhere between 2 to 21 days. In the remission
phase, the sores go away completely. Normally, a person may be infected with it only once in their
lifetime. However, in some rare cases, there can be recurrence of the disease. This infection
normally occurs on the fingers or the fingernail area. The name of the virus causing this condition is
herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is extremely contagious condition and spreads easily.
Causes of Herpetic Whitlow
The main cause is due to the presence of chickenpox virus in the body. After a person contracts
chickenpox, the virus may remain in the body in a dormant condition. When the virus becomes
active, it gives rise to herpes infection. Other than this, it can be caused due to other reasons as
well. The most common cause is spread of the infection is through touch, as it is very contagious.
Infection present on one part of the body can spread to other parts of the body. Health care
professionals are often at risk of contracting the infection from the patients. Children are also
susceptible to this infection.
Herpetic Whitlow Symptoms
Herpes infection on the hands is most likely to be caused on the thumbs or the index fingers. The
condition arises anywhere after 2 to 20 days after being exposed to the virus. The first symptom of
herpes often is burning and/or tingling sensation along with pain. Subsequently the affected area
becomes red and there is a swelling on the finger. In the next stage, clustered blisters are seen on
the affected finger. These blisters have a bright red base to them. Along with the blisters, there are
other symptoms of this condition as well. Fever often accompanies the herpes infection. In some
cases, the lymph nodes present in the elbow or in the underarm area may be swollen. The chances of
recurrence of the infection is rare. But in some cases, certain triggers like sun exposure, hormonal
changes, trauma, stress, etc., can cause the disease to recur.
Treatment for Herpetic Whitlow
It is extremely important to take care of the condition and not let it spread to other parts of the
body. Antiviral medications can be applied topically. There are different topical medications, which
you can make use of. It is better to consult your health care professional to know about the one
suitable for you. Likewise, there are also antiviral medications which can be taken orally. These
medicines are said to prevent the recurrence of the condition.

2. A paste of baking soda and water can be applied to the finger or hand. After touching the infection,
it is a MUST to wash hands with warm water and soap. Keep the affected area as dry as you can to
facilitate recovery. One natural cure for herpes is the use of cold tea bags. Using these arrests viral
activity and number of outbreaks reduces drastically.
If someone in your family is affected with this condition, care should be taken to stop the infection
from spreading. It is best to wash the clothes of the infected person separately, along with the bed
linen. It is best not to come in contact with the person physically. Contact your physician at the
earliest.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a
replacement for expert medical advice.
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