whit·low
| \ ˈ(h)wit-(ˌ)lō
\
\
Definition of whitlow
1
: an infection of the finger and especially the fingertip that is typically caused by infection of a virus (such as the herpes simplex virus) and is marked by redness, tenderness, and fluid-filled blisters
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“Whitlow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whitlow. Accessed 26 Sep. 2021.
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whitlow
noun
whit·low
| \ ˈhwit-(ˌ)lō, ˈwit-
\
\
Medical Definition of whitlow
1
: an infection of the finger and especially the fingertip that is typically caused by infection of a virus (as the herpes simplex virus) and is marked by redness, tenderness, and fluid-filled blisters
It is important to distinguish herpetic whitlow from bacterial felon or paronychia, as herpetic whitlow is a self-limited infection for which surgical incision is not indicated. — H. M. Feder, Jr. and S. S. Long, American Journal of Diseases of Children, September 1983
2
: felon
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The first known use of whitlow was in the 14th century
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