COVID toe is a reddish, purplish rash that appears on the toes of some COVID-19 patients. The rash can appear on one or more toes. In some patients, the rash can then spread to the entire foot and/or fingers.

In terms of appearance, COVID toes can start out as red rashes that look like chilblains. Over time, these rashes can blister, become purplish and cause swelling in the affected toes and fingers. Some patients may even develop sores. (Read more: Things to do if you are recovering from COVID-19 at home)

This symptom usually occurs in the absence of any other symptoms of COVID-19, and it is more commonly seen in younger patients than in older ones. COVID toes can be painful and itchyโ€”to the point that some patients find it difficult to wear shoes while the condition lasts.

And how long does the symptom last? According to a US-based registry set up in April 2020 (the findings of which were presented at the 29th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology in October 2020), COVID toes typically last for 10 days in confirmed COVID-19 patients and 15 days in suspected patients though they have (rarely) been seen to last for up to 130 days after the viral infection has cleared up in COVID long-haulers. (Read more: What is long COVID?)

The exact cause is unknown, but researchers have linked COVID toes to the effects of COVID-19 on blood vessels (vascular dysfunction) and the early involvement of interferon-1, a type of cytokine (read more: what is a cytokine storm?).

Indeed, some researchers think that the robust interferon-1 responseโ€”which causes inflammation and microangiopathy or problems with the capillaries or small blood vesselsโ€”helps to โ€œmuteโ€ viral replication early on in the disease. This may be the reason why many patients who develop COVID toes tend to have mild COVID-19 infection.

Diagnosis is done by examining the affected toes and fingers to rule out other conditions like chilblains or chilblain lupus erythematosus and through tests to confirm COVID-19 infectionโ€”an RT-PCR test or antibody test may be advised to check for current and past infections, respectively (read more: COVID-19 point of care tests).

The treatment for COVID toes is mostly symptomatic to bring down the swelling and itchiness.

Read on for what we know about COVID toes so far:

  1. COVID toes meaning
  2. COVID toes symptoms
  3. What causes COVID toes?
  4. COVID toes diagnosis
  5. COVID toes treatment
Doctors for What are COVID toes?

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists skin rashes including discolouration of fingers or toes among the โ€œless common symptomsโ€ of COVID-19โ€”the viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2.

COVID toe seems to appear in younger patients more often than older ones. And it tends to appear aloneโ€”meaning it is usually the only symptom of COVID-19 in these patients.

While the rashes of COVID toe can appear like chilblains, there are some important differences:

  • Chilblains occur due to inflammation in the small blood vessels when your skin exposed to cold but not freezing temperatures. COVID toe is not linked to ambient temperature or seasonal change. As the winter months approach in much of the northern hemisphere, it is important to keep this difference in mind.
  • Chilblains are characterised by itchy and painful swelling, with inflammatory cells centred around the blood vessels and sweat glands in the toes and fingers. COVID toes may spread to the entire foot and fingers and may be accompanied by papules (small bumps) and blood clots (focal thrombi).

So by themselves, swollen or itchy toes may not be a sign of COVID-19. If youโ€™ve never (or seldom) had chilblains in the wintertime in the past, and you donโ€™t have a medical history or family history of lupus erythematosus, but you develop chilblains-like swelling in your toes and fingers during the pandemic, talk to your doctor for next steps.

Researchers have suggested that COVID-19 could last for several weeks after the infection has cleared up (post-COVID) and might be useful to study residual inflammation in the body in COVID long-haulers. Post-COVID is a term used to indicate the health problems that recovering COVID-19 patients face after they have been declared infection-free. (Read more: Post-COVID care: what to do for breathlessness and other common symptoms after the infection clears)

COVID toe is just one of the skin-based manifestations of COVID-19. Some other skin-based symptoms of COVID-19 are erythematous rash, widespread urticaria (hives), and chickenpox-like vesicles. Skin rashes may be accompanied by mouth rashes in COVID-19.

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Skin symptoms of COVID-19 are rare: researchers say anywhere from 0.2% to 29% of patients get them (the wide range maybe because of inconsistent data collection across regions or different strains of the virus in different geographies). COVID toes are associated with milder, even otherwise asymptomatic, infection in younger people. The signs may include:

  • Red rashes on toes that can spread to the feet and fingers
  • Skin discolouration: the rashes may become purplish
  • Petechiae: the appearance of red, purple or brown dots under the skin
  • Swelling in affected toes and fingers
  • Blisters
  • Itchy bumps that can appear on the feet as well as chest and back
  • Pain
  • Itching
  • Acro ischemic lesions or lesions at the tips of the toes and fingers

The exact cause of COVID toes is not known. It is, of course, associated with COVID-19 infection which has been known to cause inflammation in multiple organs of the body. Researchers have suggested that the drugs given to COVID-19 patients to fight off infection could also cause these skin symptoms.

Case studies show that COVID toes are linked with milder infection, and all in all, a good prognosis for patients. Having said that, researchers also think that these lesions could be infectious, and may continue to be infectious in the post-COVID phase. All precautions must be taken while attending to COVID toes.

COVID toes can last for 10-130 days, according to data collected in the US. Similar data for India is not yet available.

A doctor can diagnose COVID toes based on the symptoms you describe, a physical examination and a test for COVID-19 infection. He or she may also order some tests to rule out other conditions like chilblain lupus erythematosus.

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Usually, COVID toes resolve on their own as the infection passes. If the itching (pruritis) and pain become too much for you, ask your doctor to prescribe a hydrocortisone ointment for it. Do not self medicate, as that can be harmful.

Dr Rahul Gam

Dr Rahul Gam

Infectious Disease
8 Years of Experience

Dr. Arun R

Dr. Arun R

Infectious Disease
5 Years of Experience

Dr. Neha Gupta

Dr. Neha Gupta

Infectious Disease
16 Years of Experience

Dr. Anupama Kumar

Dr. Anupama Kumar

Infectious Disease


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References

  1. Drenovska K., Schmidt E. and Vassileva S. Covid-19 pandemic and the skin. International Journal of Dermatology, 21 September 2020:10.1111/ijd.15189. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15189. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32954488.
  2. Shishak M., Shishak S. and Rajput S. Letter to the editor: Differentials of red toes in dermatology โ€“ Are COVID toes real?.โ€‹ Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 21 August 2020; 72 (2); 112-113 doi: 10.25259/IJMS_93_2020
  3. World Health Organization, Geneva [Internet]. Coronavirus.
  4. Recalcati, S. Cutaneous manifestations in COVIDโ€19: a first perspective. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020; 34: e212-e213. doi:10.1111/jdv.16387
  5. Jimenez-Cauhe J., Ortega-Quijano D. and de Perosanz-Lobo D., et al. Enanthem in patients with COVID-19 and skin rash. JAMA Dermatology, 2020; 156(10): 1134โ€“1136. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.2550
  6. Gรผl รœ. COVID-19 and dermatology. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 30 June 2020. DOI: 10.3906/sag-2005-182. PMID: 32599968.
  7. American Academy of Dermatology Association [Internet]. Covid toes, rashes: how the coronavirus can affect your skin.
  8. Locatelli A., Robustelli Test E., Vezzoli P., Carugno A., Moggio E., Consonni L., Gianatti A. and Sena P. Histologic features of longโ€lasting chilblainโ€like lesions in a paediatric COVIDโ€19 patient. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 34: e365-e368. doi:10.1111/jdv.16617
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