Indolent herpetic whitlow of the toe in an elderly patient with diabetic neuropathy

Dermatol Online J. 2004 Jul 15;10(1):16.

Abstract

We report a case of indolent herpetic whitlow of the toe occurring in an elderly male patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. In this case, the mechanism of transmission was not clear, although he was in a habit of taking a hot spring bath. This patient's symptoms were unusual for herpes simplex; he had no pain in the presence of diabetic neuropathy. The standard therapeutic dose of acyclovir was not effective in suppressing the lesions, and a higher dose was required to induce complete healing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / administration & dosage
  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cellulitis / etiology
  • Diabetic Foot / complications
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / complications*
  • Foot Dermatoses / diagnosis*
  • Foot Dermatoses / etiology
  • Foot Dermatoses / virology
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnosis*
  • Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Herpes Simplex / etiology
  • Herpes Simplex / virology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Hypesthesia / etiology
  • Male
  • Toes* / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir