PARIS: The dermatologists have claimed that skin conditions ranging from rashes to ‘pseudo-frostbite’ can be one of the symptoms of COVID-19.
Common symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chills. Though more research is needed, a growing number of case reports and preliminary studies suggest SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can also affect the skin.
A dermatology organization representing more than 400 French dermatologists had issued a statement noting that among probable COVID-19 patients they had seen skin symptoms including hives, red rashes, and frostbite-like lesions on the extremities.
Esther Freeman, an assistant professor a Harvard Medical School, said, “COVID-toe cases look similar to pernio or chilblains, a condition of inflamed blood vessels caused by cold temperatures.”
“We are seeing this inflammatory response that we would normally see when someone was exposed to the cold temperature like someone who has been playing outside with wet socks,” Freeman said.
“However, in this setting, we are seeing it in warm climates and we are seeing it in patients who have been indoors and sheltering in place,” she added.
Freeman said that it is not unusual for a virus to cause a rash, so most dermatologists are not surprised that COVID-19 could cause skin symptoms.
She further asserted, “What is surprising to me are these ‘COVID toes,’ these pernio-like lesions because we have not seen as many reports of these in other viruses.”
“I have seen more toes in the past two weeks in my clinic than I have in my entire previous career combined,” said Freeman.
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