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| Whitlow or Felon |
A whitlow or felon is an infection of the tip of the finger. Herpetic whitlow and melanotic whitlow are subtypes that are not synonymous with the term felon. A felon is an "extremely painful abscess on the palmar aspect of the fingertip". Whitlow usually refers to herpetic whitlow, though it can also refer to melanotic whitlow, which somewhat resembles acral lentiginous melanoma. The terms whitlow and felon are also sometimes misapplied to paronychia, which is an infection of the tissue at the side or base of the nail. Felon presents with a throbbing pain, clinically.
A medical expert, Dr Festus Olalekan, has warned Nigerians against biting their finger nails, saying it could result in skin infection, especially whitlow.
Olalekan, who works with Graceland Hospital, Ilorin, on Saturday said that biting of nails had remained a common practice among people who do not realise the health implications.
He said that the finger nail is an ideal location for bacteria to grow and it can easily get transferred to the mouth and other parts of the body.
The expert also said that the habit could result in swelling and redness around the nails.
He said, “As you chew your nails, bacteria and other microorganisms can enter your body.
“You can also get exposed to paronychia (whitlow), an infection under the cuticle of a fingernail or toenail
“I understand that it is difficult for some people to keep clean nails and avoid the biting of fingernails.
“Nails are ideal location for bacteria to grow; this is why you need to avoid the habit of chewing nails in order to stay healthy.”
He advised people experiencing swelling or redness of the fingernail to visit a doctor in order to prevent other health complications.
REMEDY
There are several home remedies that may help to cure whitlow. However, talk with your doctor before trying these remedies. Home remedies are more effective when you experience redness and pain in the beginning stage of the condition.
1. Fill a bowl with warm water and add few drops of anti bacterial liquid soap. Place your finger in the solution for 10 minutes few times in a day. It helps to reduce pain and swelling.
2. Prepare a poultice of rice flour and linseed. Apply it around the affected area of finger. You can keep it overnight wrapped with a fine cloth or a sterilized bandage. Remove it in the morning. This will help to mature the abscess quickly so that it can be easily drained by your doctor.
3. Chebulic myroblan fruit is powdered and mixed with tamarind (tamarindus indica) water. Apply a thin layer of this paste on the affected part of finger tip and around the nail. The astringent properties of Chebulic and the acidic effect of tamarind help to dry up whitlow infection in few days.
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