The One Sure Sign You’ve Already Had COVID-19

You’ve heard of the common symptoms of coronavirus: Cough, fever, and shortness of breath. But according to Andrew Chan, a professor of immunology and infectious disease at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, one new symptom is a sure sign you’ve had COVID-19. Read on to learn about what it feels like—and if you should be worried.

Chan, the co-founder of the COVID Symptom Study app, whose data is being used by researchers around the world, claims that it has been detecting more cases of raised skin bumps and inflammation on fingers and toes—aka COVID fingers and toes—and that it should be considered a key diagnostic sign of the disease. In fact, many people are experiencing these strange dermatological manifestations in the absence of any other symptoms.

(urticaria)

Sudden appearance of raised bumps on the skin which come and go quite quickly over hours and are usually very itchy. It can involve any part of the body, and often starts with intense itching of the palms or soles, and can cause swelling of the lips and eyelids. These rashes can present quite early on in the infection, but can also last a long time afterwards.

(erythemato-papular or erythemato-vesicular rash)

Areas of small, itchy red bumps can occur anywhere on the body, but particularly the elbows and knees as well as the back of the hands and feet. The rash can persist for days or weeks.

Reddish and purplish bumps on the fingers or toes, which may be sore but not usually itchy. This type of rash is most specific to COVID-19, is more common in younger people with the disease, and tends to present later on.

“Even though skin rashes may not be that common in COVID, the fact that they do arise, the fact that they may be a more specific sign, highlight how important it is to really assess their prevalence and how predictive they are,” Chan explained in an interview with VOX.

“Many viral infections can affect the skin, so it’s not surprising that we are seeing these rashes in COVID-19,” study author Dr. Veronique Bataille, consultant dermatologist at St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, explained in a press release.

“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.”

As for yourself, avoid catching COVID-19: wear your face mask, get tested if you think you have coronavirus, avoid crowds (and bars, and house parties), practice social distancing, only run essential errands, wash your hands regularly, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and to get through this pandemic at your healthiest,