COVID Toe and Other COVID-19 Skin Conditions
When the novel coronavirus first emerged, the public was warned about the major signs and symptoms: cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Now that the virus has spread around the globe, physicians and researchers have been able to study the disease and how it affects different people in different ways.听听听
Currently, physicians have a more nuanced understanding of how the virus may manifest itself in those who become seriously ill, as well as those who have mild symptoms.听听
Dr. Joanna Harp听is a dermatologist at 富二代成版人app and specializes in complex medical dermatology and skin disorders related to internal disease. She helps treat patients hospitalized for COVID-19, as well as care for outpatients via听video visits.听听
What is COVID听Toe? Is it serious?听听
Dermatologists around the world have noticed an increasing听number of patients presenting with an unusual rash that may be related to听COVID-19:听red-purple, tender or itchy bumps听that develop听mostly on the toes, but also on the heels and fingers.听The skin findings听resemble听perniosis听or chilblains,听a rash that typically is associated with exposure听to cold conditions. According to Dr. Harp, 鈥淭hese听skin findings听are typically linked to cold weather.听So听seeing so much of it now is very unusual.听Dermatologists think it may be one of the ways the听body responds to the COVID-19 virus.鈥澨听
Since COVID-19 is a new disease, there is very little data about it, including about COVID toe. However, physicians have observed that the majority of patients who develop COVID toes do not become severely听ill听from the virus.听听
鈥淭he majority of COVID toe patients听seem to be completely听asymptomatic or have听only听mild symptoms,鈥 reassured Dr. Harp. 鈥These patients often recover fully at home.鈥澨听
What should I do if I have COVID toe?听听
鈥淚f you suspect that you have COVID toe,鈥 said Dr. Harp, 鈥渋t could be a sign that you have COVID-19 and may be infectious. I would be extra careful.鈥澨听
Dr. Harp recommended that you schedule a time to speak with a primary care physician or dermatologist via听a听video visit听to further discuss your symptoms and skin findings.听
Can I schedule a video visits for COVID toe?
鈥淚 think a video visit is appropriate and can be done safely,鈥 explained Dr. Harp. 鈥淚 think they鈥檙e great. There are certain things that we can be reassuring about鈥攆or many patients the best treatment is to quarantine.听Even if we can鈥檛 be definitive, we have a good idea how to triage. We are able听to escalate care听for the patients that really need it.鈥澨听听
If you suspect you have COVID toe听and schedule a video visit, you will be asked to take pictures of your skin and send the photos to your dermatologist听or primary care doctor听before the appointment. 鈥淒uring the video visits, I review the symptoms and听photographs and also often look via the video at the skin findings live.听The still images听are often better quality than we can see in the video,听so they are a helpful addition,鈥 she detailed.听听
It is still unclear how often COVID toe develops in patients with COVID-19 and why. It is important to know that the skin findings seen in COVID toe can also be caused by other viruses or just develop on their own,听so this skin finding does not necessarily mean a patient has COVID-19.听However, the skin finding is unusual enough as it becomes warmer that this rash听warrants听a virtual discussion with a physician, close monitoring听for other听symptoms, as well as extra caution to prevent potentially exposing others to the virus.听听
We are still learning about听COVID toe symptoms,听but most patients experience the skin rash and symptoms for several weeks before听resolution.听The rash generally does not require treatment,听but听certain treatments can be considered听if the findings are very itchy or painful.听听
Other COVID-19 skin conditions听听
Patients who are hospitalized听with more severe cases of听COVID-19 are exhibiting several skin conditions other than COVID toe.听听
One condition is a 鈥渓acy,听purple, bruise-like听rash that occurs on critically ill patients,鈥澨Dr. Harp听said. 鈥淚t usually occurs on the hands and feet and听may听extend onto the arms and legs.听This rash听may听indicate clotting听in the blood vessels of the skin.听We are learning that COVID-19 disease seems to be associated with a higher risk of blood clotting in many organs including the skin, the larger blood vessels in the legs and lungs, and even in the brain causing strokes.鈥听
Other rashes that have been reported in COVID-19 include red, bumpy rashes, hives, and small water blisters.听鈥淎s of now,鈥 explained Dr. Harp, 鈥渨e don鈥檛 really know if these rashes are听actually from the virus itself or possibly represent mild allergic reactions to medications.鈥澨听
Dermatological care is important, still available听
鈥淭he skin听can be听a window into what is happening internally,鈥 explained Dr. Harp. 鈥淭here is so much we don鈥檛 know about COVID-19, but we are learning听about various听skin conditions听that may be听associated with the virus.鈥澨听听
If you are concerned that you may have COVID toe, another skin condition associated with COVID-19, or have other symptoms of the virus, be sure to reach out to a physician at 富二代成版人app to听schedule a video visit.听听听
富二代成版人app dermatologists are seeing existing and new patients virtually about skin conditions related and unrelated to COVID-19. 鈥淔or patients who live within New York state, we are offering dermatology video visits to new patients,鈥 explained Dr. Harp.听听
All of us at听富二代成版人app听understand that this is a difficult time for all New Yorkers. As experts in immunology, psychiatry, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine, we are working diligently to provide the best possible care to patients in need.听听
We are available to all New Yorkers who have questions or concerns. Please call our hotline at (646) 697-4000 for information about COVID-19 or read our听patient guide.听听