Podiatrists across Europe are suggesting that lesions on the feet could be a sign of coronavirus.

Whilst it is known that the major symptoms of the illness are a new persistent cough and a high temperature, some people who have the virus can be asymptomatic.

Spanish and Italian doctors are reporting that nasty purplish lesions that look like chickenpox, measles or chilblains on toes and feet could be a sign of coronavirus.

Patients with the dark sores, particularly children and adolescents, have tested positive for COVID-19 in Spain, as well as in Italy and France.

The International Federation of Podiatrists reported the case of a 13 year-old boy in Italy, who was originally thought to have had a spider bite. The sores then split and burst before crusting over.

Two days later he developed a fever, muscle pains, headache and intense itching and burning associated with the lesions on his feet.

The Spanish General Council of Official Podiatrist Colleges shared a statement revealing that several coronavirus patients have had lesions on their feet.

The statement said: “They are purple lesions which usually appear on the toes and normally heal without leaving a mark.”

Experts added that it was a “curious finding” which had also been observed in “numerous” COVID-19 patients in Italy and France, as well as Spain, according to dermatologists and podiatrists.

The lesions were more commonly noticed in younger people with the virus, including teenagers and children, although some adults were also found to have them.

If further observations and laboratory data will confirm that these lesions are indeed a clinical sign of COVID-19, it could be useful for identifying children and adolescents with minimal forms of infection, but potential sources of further infection.

 

 

 

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