Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include swelling, reddening and tenderness of the skin of infected finger. Post herpetic neuralgia uncommonly is associated with shingles in the mouth. The important differentiation is with acute leukemia or herpetic stomatitis. Lesions heal with a scab characteristic of herpetic disease. Topical acyclovir has not been shown to be effective in management of herpetic whitlow. This classic herpetic lesion consists of a linear branching corneal ulcer (dendritic ulcer). An example of this is herpetic whitlow, which is a herpes infection on the fingers. Unlike true herpetic ulcers, herpetiforme ulcers are not preceded by vesicles (small, fluid filled blisters). An intact herpetic vesicle presents as an intraepithelial blister histologically. It is strongly contraindicated with herpetic and other viral eye infections. If nursing mothers have herpetic lesions near or on the breast, breast-feeding should be avoided. Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis is the most common viral infection of the mouth. A herpetic aetiology also accounts for 55% of cases of EM major. In severe cases of herpetic gingivostomatitis, mouth rinses are useful in relieving oral discomfort. Contact sports are also a potential source of infection with herpetic whitlows.