Covid 19 coronavirus: Foot lesions could be early sign of infection

news.com.au

14 Apr, 2020 05:28 PM2 mins to read

Scientists are searching for symptoms of the virus.

As doctors work around the clock to find new ways to detect coronavirus early on, an investigation in Spain is showing promise.

With symptoms of Covid-19 varying wildly, a team of Spanish experts are investigating whether virus sufferers could be identified early through lesions to their feet – with hopes it could help diagnose those who are asymptomatic.

The Spanish General Council of Official Podiatrist Colleges released a statement last Thursday saying several coronavirus patients had shown lesions to their feet "similar to those of chickenpox or measles".

The professional body said "numerous cases" where coronavirus patients had lesions on their feet had been found in Italy, France and Spain – a "curious finding" that has being witnessed by both dermatologists and podiatrists.

This symptom has been detected "especially" in teens and children with coronavirus; however, some adults have also presented with foot lesions.

"They are purple lesions [very similar to those of chickenpox, measles or chilblains] which usually appear on the toes and normally heal without leaving a mark," the statement read.

While the medical body warned that "due to the short time we still cannot speak of scientific evidence", it encouraged podiatrists to be vigilant to the possible coronavirus symptom.

It comes after the International Federation of Podiatrists released an article recently reporting one of the first cases of this symptom.

Lesions appeared on the foot of a 13-year-old boy on March 8 that were initially thought to be caused by a brown recluse spider bite.

However, the teen was later diagnosed with coronavirus after presenting with symptoms of the illness.