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Papulosquamous rashes, which are scaly patches on the skin, lasted an average of 20 days, and one case lasted 70 days, the findings showed.
Dr. Michele Green is a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. She said: “These widespread skin manifestations are the result of the body’s intense inflammatory reaction to COVID-19.”
The skin is the largest organ in the body and plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, sensation and immune defenses, he noted.
“It doesn’t surprise me that such a toxic virus, which triggers so many cytokines in the body, has a profound reaction and expression on the skin,” Green added.
In addition to the visible signs on the skin, COVID fingers can also be painful, according to Freeman. Usually the discoloration lasts a long time, but the pain and discomfort last about a week.
“Most of my patients I have seen have reported discomfort from toe swelling and pain, usually for a week, even if the injuries themselves can last for several weeks,” Freeman said. “My patients have said that it is quite uncomfortable that they cannot wear shoes.”
For most patients, the condition goes away on its own. But for a small number, it persists.
“Unfortunately, several of our patients in this long-term group have experienced prolonged discomfort, so some of our patients have had pain or discomfort in their feet for the entire time they have had it. These long-term carriers , “Freeman said.
Treatment is challenging, he added, and there is no protocol. “We are working on that,” Freeman said. “I think all my patients would like to have an answer.”
He fears that some patients will have lasting effects from COVID-19.
“There is certainly a risk that some of our patients may have ongoing skin problems from COVID-19, and our job is to find out why this is happening and try to figure out how to treat them,” he said.
The study findings were presented Thursday at an online meeting of the Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Research presented at meetings is generally considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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