Covid Toes among kids: New symptom of novel coronavirus infection
Monday, April 27, 2020 IST
First some dermatologists in Italy found it. Now, it is being reported in the US. There is sudden surge in the cases similar to frostbite or pernio among kids in the areas severely affected by Covid-19. Some doctors have nicknamed it as Covid Toes.
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HIGHLIGHTS
• Doctors are warning that frostbite like symptom may be Covid-19
• Dermatologists in Italy found sudden surge in inflammation in toes in March
• Some of thsoe observing the symptom have nicknamed it as Covid Toes
Dermatologists in Europe and America are discussing a new potential symptom to identify a Covid-19 patient, particularly if the novel coronavirus has infected kids and young adults. In March, some dermatologists in Italy found an inflammation of toes and feet, and discolouration of the organ of those suffering from Covid-19.
This condition is much like frostbite or pernio, which is a condition found among people living in harsh winters in polar and sub-polar regions. Here blood vessels in the toes get aggravated inflammation and toes tend to have serious spasm.
The condition was nicknamed 'Covid Toes' because dermatologists found it to be most prevalent in areas with a high concentration of Covid-19 patients in Italy.
Now, the same 'Covid Toes' condition is being reported from areas severely hit by novel coronavirus pandemic in the US, like Boston.
Doctors associated with the American Academy of Dermatology are now recommending coronavirus tests for kids visiting them with 'Covid Toes'.
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In Italy, such kids did not show any of the previously known symptoms of Covid-19. The correlation was hotly debated among dermatologists and the medical professionals on and off social media. For example, this Twitter thread reflects their worry about this potential atypical symptom of novel coronavirus infection or this one.
Novel coronavirus infection became a pandemic because it thrives on asymptomatic patients of Covid-19. Health agencies world over have been firm in dealing with symptomatic Covid-19 patients. But the real challenge has been to identify those Covid-19 patients who don't show symptoms. Now, this has forced affected countries to revise their death toll.
However, these asymptomatic patients may not actually be truly asymptomatic. Sudden loss of smell or taste or having a pink eye is now recognised atypical symptoms - atypical because the common symptoms of Covid-19 still are dry cough, fever, sore throat, tiredness and respiratory difficulties.
This is largely because novel coronavirus is still an unknown enemy to humans. Even the common symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat and tiredness are very common for a range of illnesses. The most common of them all is fever, which is simply an indication that there is something wrong in the body.
It is possible that symptoms that are currently atypical for Covid-19 may evolve into key indicators of novel coronavirus infection in months and years to come because, as the World Health Orgnaisation warns, this virus is going to stay among humans for a long time.
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