Vivek Cherian M.D.

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Here’s What COVID Toes Feel Like

By now, we can all recite COVID symptoms like a memorized school lesson: fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell. But for some people who've contracted the virus, there's an unexpected symptom that happens way down in their feet. COVID toes, as they're being called, aren't exactly intuitive: what does a respiratory virus have to do with your feet?

What Are COVID Toes & What Do They Feel Like?

"COVID toes are a discoloration of the toes to a blue-purple color," Dr. Natasha Bhuyan M.D., regional medical director at OneMedical, tells Bustle. The condition can look pretty alarming, and can be painful, with blisters or sores. The World Health Organization categorizes them as a less common symptom of COVID-19. According to one study published in Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing in 2020, a little over 15% of people with COVID-19 showed these symptoms; first toes turn red and swollen, then they'll begin to develop blueish-purple tinges. The American Academy of Dermatology says toes might itch, ache, or throb, and could also develop areas of rough skin, or painful bumps.

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