whitlow

noun

whit·​low ˈ(h)wit-(ˌ)lō 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English whitflawe, whitflowe, whitlowe

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

whitlow

noun

whit·​low ˈhwit-ˌlō 

ˈwit-

: a deep inflammation of a finger or toe usually with pus and located especially near the end or around the nail

Medical Definition

whitlow

noun

whit·​low ˈhwit-(ˌ)lō, ˈwit- 

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

2

: felon