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Covid toe (toes)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Chilblain-like lesions or 'COVID toes' are acral lesions described as erythematous to purple purpuric macules, papules, and/or vesicles that predominantly involve the feet, and to a lesser extent, the hands (1).

Histologically, chilblains is an inflammatory disorder showing dermal edema along with a superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate (2).

Cases of acral lesions resembling chilblains have been reported worldwide at a higher rate than before the pandemic, becoming one of the most commonly reported cutaneous manifestations during the pandemic (1).

It is hypothesised that a robust antiviral immune response in young patients may truncate the clinical course and induce microangiopathic changes that could lead to chilblain-like skin lesions.

  • Patients present with chilblain-like lesions only after a successful viral response is mounted and lesions are detected only when symptoms are likely to be subsiding (2).

Click here further information and images of "COVID" toes.

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