Symptom 9: Decreased Mobility
Herpetic whitlow’s effects aren’t solely cosmetic or sensory. One of the symptoms that often gets sidelined, but is of paramount importance, is the decreased mobility in the affected finger. Initially, one might merely dismiss it as slight stiffness, attributing it to the swelling and pain. But as the hours tick by, the range of motion gets noticeably limited, making even mundane tasks a challenge.
The decrease in mobility is not just an offshoot of the pain or the swelling. The underlying inflammation, caused by the body’s reaction to the herpes simplex virus, affects the joints in the finger, leading to this stiff sensation. Activities requiring fine motor skills, like writing or buttoning a shirt, become cumbersome, underlining the infection’s pervasive nature.
It’s a cascading effect. The initial infection leads to inflammation. This inflammation, in turn, causes the finger to swell, which then restricts the tendons’ movement, leading to a noticeable decrease in the finger’s mobility. It’s a domino effect, where one symptom exacerbates another, illustrating the complexity of herpetic whitlow. (9)
