Herpetic whitlow of the toe presenting with severe viral cellulitis

Herpetic whitlow of the toe is a common infection in an uncommon location, leading it to be frequently misdiagnosed; however, as the virus responds well to conservative management or antivirals alone, proper identification is necessary to prevent unnecessary interventions. We present a case of herpetic whitlow of the toe with an unusually ominous appearance in a previously healthy and otherwise well-appearing child. This case illustrates the spectrum of herpetic whitlow's clinical presentations and enourages consideration of the disease even for atypical location and severity.