COVID-19 and Rashes: What You Need to Know

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted May 29, 2020

Dear Reader, 

A few weeks after the world closed down, my daughter complained of a rash on her toes. 

My son, overhearing the conversation, said he had a rash on his toes too.  

When I looked at the rash, it looked like the kind that comes from cold exposure (a type of rash called Pernio or Chilblains). Or maybe a viral infection rash (many viruses cause small, bumpy rashes) – but I didn’t really connect it to COVID-19 right away. 

I eventually took my daughter to a dermatologist friend, who highly suspected COVID-19 caused the rash.  

But toe rashes aren’t the only rash to show up in this pandemic.  

The reports of skin rashes seen in people with COVID-19 run the gamut from whole body rashes to small lumps on fingers and toes. 

One study out of Italy found some sort of rash in about 20 percent of people. 

The reason for most of these rashes has to do with the virus’s tendency to create blood clots. Those micro-blood clots often occur where blood slows down (at the end of toes and fingers) – but can really happen anywhere on the body.  

Another type of rash is also occurring in people exposed to COVID-19. These are full-body red rashes and, while they are considered rare, doctors are seeing more and more of them. 

The syndrome, technically called “multisystem inflammatory syndrome” happens mostly in children and occurs when the immune system overreacts – leading to whole-body inflammation. It’s rarely fatal, and most children recover with no ill effects.  

The good news is there is currently no connection between the severity of the illness and skin rashes. 

My son, for example, had a long illness (lasting weeks) that started before the shutdown. A month after his illness cleared up, he still complains of lung pain. My daughter, on the other hand, showed no symptoms (other than the foot rash). 

But remember, as always, it is best to see a qualified health practitioner whenever a rash appears on your skin.  

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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