Doctors are reporting that they are beginning to see cases of “COVID toes,” red or purple patches on toes that some believe could be a sign of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
While the scientific evidence is still limited about what may be causing this medical condition, people who have this symptom should contact a dermatologist or their health care provider, according to Noelani Gonzalez, MD, a dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai West in New York.
“Your doctor will follow up by asking you questions to try to figure out if this could be a possible sign of coronavirus or something else,” she said.
In fact, the patches on the toes resemble another condition called chilblains, also known as pernio, a painful inflammation of small blood vessels. People may often feel itching, stinging, or burning.
In most circumstances the condition resolves on its own and doctors recommend behavioral measures such as keeping your feet warm, but in persistent cases topical steroids can help reduce inflammation, and aspirin can help improve blood flow to your extremities. Fortunately, the condition tends to go away within a few days or up to two weeks, according to Dr. Gonzalez.
This is a condition doctors typically see in the colder months, which is one reason why the recent reports, while the weather is warming, may be an indication of something different, she said.
In order to gather better information, the American Academy of Dermatology recently started a COVID-19 Registry to collect reports of this condition from physicians and health care professionals so that they can be studied, and to avoid the spread of medical misinformation.
Dr. Gonzalez says “COVID toes” has been found among people of all ages, though many of the cases have been among children and young adults. Doctors believe that may be because younger people typically mount more aggressive immune responses to a virus or other infection.
Doctors say this type of inflammation in “COVID toes” can be caused by the inflammation caused from the immune response to the virus, by an inflammation in blood vessels, or by clotting in blood vessels, or even by a combination of these, but there is not yet a definitive answer.