New symptom could be the first sign of COVID-19
Researchers in London have found that a strange skin rash they're calling ‘COVID fingers and toes’ could be the first sign of COVID-19.
King's College London research revealed that the rash can can occur in the absence of any other symptoms, and should be considered as a key diagnostic sign of the virus.
The COVID Symptom Study app collected data from 336,000 people and showed that 8.8 per cent of those who tested positive had experienced the rash.
Further studies of nearly 12,000 individuals with skin rashes revealed that 17 per cent of those with COVID-19 had a rash before any other symptoms.
Just over one in five people diagnosed with the virus had a rash as their only symptom.
The rashes come in three forms, say the researchers:
- hive-type rash with itchy, raised bumps
- chickenpox-type rash with small, itchy red bumps
- ‘COVID fingers and toes’ with sore, reddish or purplish bumps on fingers or toes.
"Many viral infections can affect the skin, so it’s not surprising that we are seeing these rashes in COVID-19," said the study's lead author Dr Veronique Bataille.
"However, it is important that people know that in some cases, a rash may be the first or only symptom of the disease. So if you notice a new rash, you should take it seriously by self-isolating and getting tested as soon as possible."
The World Health Organization currently recognises fever, tiredness and dry cough along with loss of taste or smell, skin rash and discolouration of fingers or toes as symptoms of COVID-19.
Yet more symptoms to add to the cuerrent list of Covid19 symtoms
Of course we must not forget the people that are asymptomatic ... no symptoms