The four Covid symptoms you might have missed on your skin – here is what to look out for
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It has been widely documented that the main signs that you may have Coronavirus are a fever, a dry cough, or a sudden loss of sense of taste or smell.
The fourth, less well-documented symptom, however, is the appearance of a new skin rash.
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Hide AdThis can be the only symptom a person shows, and has mainly been prevalent in young adults or teens.
A study by the National Library of Medicine found that 17 per cent of COVID-19 patients with multiple symptoms saw a skin rash as the first symptom to appear.
The study also showed that in 21 per cent of patients rashes were their only symptom.
However, there are a range of body rashes that could be indicators of Covid-19 including types of lesions and hives.
What are the four main types of rash?
Chilblain-like lesions
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Hide Ad- Red, swollen or blistering skin lesions around the toes or feet.
- Mild disease that usually comes without other virus symptoms.
- These lesions made up 60 per cent of cases in a study into Covid-19 rashes.
Maculopapular rash
- Flat and raised areas of discoloured skin.
- A study of 375 Covid patients in Spain found that 47 per cent had this kind of rash.
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Hide Ad- Found more in middle-aged or elderly patients, and usually mixed with other Covid symptoms.
- Typically last 7-18 days, appearing 20-36 days after infection.
Hives
- Raised areas of itchy skin.
- Can look like heat rash and can appear on any part of the body.
- More common in middle-aged patients.
Vesicular lesions
- Common sign of Covid.
- Clear fluid-filled sacs under the skin, and can be similar to chicken pox.
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Hide AdDr Veronique Bataille, consultant dermatologist at St Thomas’ Hospital, said: “Many viral infections can affect the skin, so it’s not surprising that we are seeing these rashes in Covid-19.
“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.”