whitlow

noun

whit·low | \ˈhwit-(ˌ)lō,

ˈwit-\

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

2 : felon entry 1 sense 3

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The first known use of whitlow was in the 14th century

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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