'COVID-Toe' And Rashes May Be Coronavirus Symptoms
The toes appear swollen with sores that can be itchy or painful.
By Tamara Jayne — 18 May 2020, 12:13 PM
Doctors have found that rashes, including 'COVID-toe', have been appearing on several patients diagnosed with COVID-19
According to BBC News, 'COVID-toe' is a rash that appears on patients' feet, which can be extremely painful or have an itchy sensation.
In some cases, the toes appear swollen with sores or bumps that may turn purple in colour over time.
Officials have not included these rashes as part of COVID-19 symptoms, however, The New York Times reported that several dermatologists have been pushing for more tests to be done regarding this matter.
Spanish doctors reported 375 confirmed virus patients having skin issues, including hives, chickenpox-like lesions, and toe swellings
Meanwhile, in a hospital in Italy, dermatologists observed 88 COVID-19 cases and found that one out of five patients had some sort of rash appear as well.
According to BBC News, the different types of rashes that appear include:
1. Asymmetrical, chilblain-like lesions around the hands and feet, which could be itchy or painful.
2. Small blisters, often itchy, found on the torso and limbs.
3. Pink or white raised areas of skin - often itchy. Mostly appeared on the body but sometimes on the palms of the hands.
4. Maculopapules - small, flat, and raised red bumps.
5. Livedo (also known as necrosis) - which makes the skin turn blotchy red or blue, with a net-like pattern.
"It usually appears later on, after the respiratory manifestation of the disease - so it's not good for diagnosing patients," Dr Garcia-Doval told BBC.
According to the report, all of these patients with skin issues were already having respiratory symptoms and were in the hospital.
The public is advised to not panic because the rashes are still considered uncommon and are not found on the severely ill
And the more common COVID-19 symptoms to be aware of include shortness of breath, cough, fever, muscle aches, and sore throat.
Pulmonologist Humberto Choi at Cleveland Clinic explained that rashes are often a common symptom of viral infections, including pneumonia.
"It's not uncommon for someone to have a viral infection and have a rash or blotchy areas on their body. This can happen with other viral respiratory infections like measles. And sometimes, antibiotics might cause skin rashes," he added.
Choi also explained that COVID-toes may be another way a body responds to a viral infection.
