A whitlow is an infection of the finger or toe, which usually occurs when the skin is moist. It is considered to be a form of abscess caused by bacteria. There are several treatments available for this infection, but so that you don’t need to know how to heal whitlow, it is important that you are able to recognise the symptoms! 

How to heal whitlow: recognising the symptoms

Whitlow should be treated right away. To avoid having to do a last-minute search for how to heal whitlow when you are already infected, here is a list of the symptoms that must be treated as soon as they arise. When it first appears, whitlow causes inflammation and pain that is bearable for a while. However, after a few days, or even weeks in some cases, the pain becomes intense and throbbing and pus begins to form. Be careful; if whitlow does not go away and continues to fester, see a doctor quickly. 

How to heal whitlow: recommended treatments

If you want to know how to heal whitlow, ask a doctor to determine the seriousness of your condition. The most common treatment for whitlow is a Dakin bath, found at your local chemist’s. A Dakin bath includes a chlorine derivative that acts as a very effective disinfectant. A doctor will likely prescribe three to five ten minute baths a day. After the bath, it is advisable to apply ointment to the whitlow and keep it protected with a bandage every day.