As the pandemic continues, doctors and researchers are learning more about the symptoms of COVID-19. And, as a result, some of them, like skin rashes, can be easy to see.
One of the most widely discussed skin findings related to coronavirus infection is the so-called “COVID toe syndrome”. Dr. Ginette Okoye, chair of the department of dermatology at Howard University, described this as “a reddish-purple discoloration of the toes, accompanied by swelling and pain.” Like many other symptoms of the virus, COVID toes are caused by “inflamed blood vessels.”
Having COVID toes isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, in fact, Okoye said it may be “a sign that your body is mounting a good immune response to the SARS-CoV2 virus, as it tends to occur in patients with mild COVID symptoms. “
Experts are still debating whether this phenomenon is actually related to COVID-19.
PHOTO: A dermatologist appears in this undated file image. (Arthur Tilley / Getty Images)
“There is still controversy with some studies finding an association and other studies that failed to find an association,” said Dr. Raja Sivamani, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of clinical dermatology at the University of California, Davis.
“More recently, a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was found in the cells of the walls of the blood vessels in the toes. This finding supports the idea that COVID is responsible for the development of COVID toes, “said Sivamani.
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In addition to COVID toes, Okoye said, “many different types of rashes have been seen in patients with the new coronavirus, including urticaria and generalized red rashes, some with small blisters.”
These rashes are even more common in patients with more serious illnesses, due to “blockage of blood vessels in the skin.” These blockages of the blood vessels are caused by the body’s immune system that tries to fight the virus. Like other coronavirus symptoms, Okoye said, “Some of the COVID flares are not caused by the virus itself, but by the body’s immune response to the virus.”
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Do the skin symptoms in COVID-19 appear to differ depending on skin tones? According to Okoye, “There have not been many reports of COVID fingers in patients of black and Latino patients.” Even rashes can be less common in people with dark skin. However, she said this could be because “discerning the redness on the skin of people with darker skin tones can be challenging.” For this reason, it may be easy to overlook skin rashes or other COVID skin conditions in these patients.
PHOTO: A dermatologist examines a patient’s foot in this undated file image. (Sirisak Boakaew / Getty Images)
“We are still learning about COVID, but there are no clear differences in the rash between different skin tones,” said Sivamani.
Experts say that COVID-19 can cause skin rashes at all ages. Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome, a disease that appears to follow coronavirus infection and impacts children, affects multiple organs and the skin.
“Several children have developed a rare disease similar to a known disease called Kawasaki disease,” said Dr. Crutchfield, a Board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. “Many of these children tested positive for COVID-19, and doctors suspect there is a strong connection. Symptoms include a red, itchy, bumpy rash all over the body, and a red, peeled rash in the trunk area “
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Although the idea of rashes and black fingers may scare some, experts like Okoye say the best thing to do is “protect yourself from infection first.”
And COVID fingers are not the only skin problem that is emerging during the pandemic, although the most common problem, dry skin, has nothing to do with the virus itself. Because all of that hand washing and hand sanitizer can irritate your skin, Okoye said hydration is key. “Use a moisturizing lotion, right after, every time you clean your hands,” said Dr. Crutchfield. “If your hands become very irritated, it will be important to seek help from a doctor and a dermatologist,” added Sivamani.
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