- Michelle Roberts
- BBC Health Affairs Editor
Image source,Chris Curry/Getty
Scientists believe that they can explain the appearance of chilblain-like lesions on the toes and even fingers of some people infected with the new coronavirus.
The “new crown toe” seems to be a side effect of the human body to resist the new crown virus entering the attack mode.
Researchers say they have determined the immune system involved. The findings, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, may be beneficial to the treatment of related symptoms.
What is “new crown toe”?
It can occur at any age, but it is more common in children and adolescents.
For some patients, there is no pain, but the rash may be very painful and itchy, accompanied by slight blisters and swelling.
13-year-old Sofia is from Clarkman’s South County, Scotland. At the beginning of this year, she could hardly wear shoes or walk when she appeared on the “new crown toe”.
This summer, she told the BBC Scotland’s The Nine program that if she needs to walk for a long time, she will have to rely on a wheelchair.
Usually the skin of the toes is affected, but sometimes it is the fingers that look red or purple. Some people have painful bumps or rough areas of skin, and may even have pus. Some people have symptoms that last for several months, while others last for several weeks.
Under normal circumstances, they will not experience such typical symptoms as constant coughing, fever, and loss of smell or taste or change.
Image source,Getty Images
The “new crown toe” seems to be a side effect of the human body to resist the new crown virus entering the attack mode.
Why does this happen?
The latest research results based on blood and skin tests indicate that two parts of the immune system may be at work.
Both involve the body’s mechanism against the new coronavirus. One is an antiviral protein called type 1 interferon, and the other is an antibody that not only attacks the virus, but also mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues.
Investigators from the University of Paris in France said that the small blood vessel lining cells that supply the affected area are also involved.
In the spring of last year, researchers conducted a study on 50 patients with suspected toes with new crowns and 13 other patients with similar frostbite lesions not related to new crown infections because they appeared long before the outbreak of new crown pneumonia. Researchers hope that these findings can help patients and doctors better understand the condition.
British podiatrist Ivan Bristow (Ivan Bristow) said that for most people, it is like ordinary chilblains and people with blood circulation problems that are usually seen in the cold. This disease usually causes Disappear on its own.
But some people may need to be treated with ointments and other medicines.
He said: “The identification of the cause will help develop new treatments for more effective management.”
Dr. Veronique Bataille, a spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation and a dermatologist, said that “new crown toes” are very common in the early stages of the new crown pandemic, but they are not so common in the current wave of outbreaks caused by the mutant strain of Delta. common.
This may be due to more people being vaccinated or getting some protection from past infections.
She said: “The situation after vaccination is much less.” She said, “The skin problems related to the new crown may appear for a long time after the acute infection, and it appears in people who have no other symptoms, so Its connection with the new coronavirus is difficult to find.”
The British Association of Dermatologists (British Association of Dermatologists) has a list of skin diseases that may be related to the new coronavirus.