Toe Lesions May Be a Sign of COVID Infection

Distinct toe lesions that may be a sign of a coronavirus infection are showing up in otherwise healthy people and have raised alarms with some health experts that ‘COVID toe’ should be added to the list of conditions that warrant sufficient grounds for testing. A major worry is that since mostly younger, asymptomatic people are experiencing the toe condition, they may unwittingly spread coronavirus to others.

The symptoms of ‘COVID toe’ are similar to those caused by chilblains, which is more often associated with the winter cold.

Symptoms of chilblains or a possible ‘COVID toe’ infection include the following:

• The appearance of red, swollen, shiny lesions on toes resembling frostbite
• The lesions can appear on several toes on one or both feet
• The lesions can be painful and itchy
• The pain and swelling can cause difficulty with wearing shoes and walking
• Over a week or two, the lesions develop a deeper purple color.

While patients experiencing these toe problems are understandably concerned, it is thought that the condition actually may represent a robust immune response to the infection. Most patients who have the toe condition and test positive for coronavirus are doing very well.

If you are experiencing red and purple lesions on your toes, contact your foot care professional. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County Arizona, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors, including Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies including the PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.