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Published on: May 22, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Corona Virus In Young Patients And Kids

Kids seem to be relatively unaffected by COVID, but this does not mean they are invulnerable. As with adults, some children have pre-existing cardiac, respiratory, or metabolic conditions, and are therefore more vulnerable to the effects of COVID. Interestingly, children appear to have one more symptom when infected with coronavirus – COVID Toes.

I personally came across this phenomenon recently, with a young patient asymptomatic for COVID who presented with unusual symptoms of dark bruises on his toes. This had been present for just a few days. He did not have any pain, itching, swelling, no recent trauma, or injury to the feet. Circulation to his feet was normal, with no other rashes or skin changes, no other abnormal features in the history to note. It was certainly an odd presentation and certainly could have been an example of COVID toes.

This new phenomenon was noticed in April and has not gained as much notoriety because it is fairly rare compared to the major COVID symptoms, such as fever, cough, and lethargy. Doctors have described lesions on the feet of young people, usually purple-colored, around the tips of the toes. They have been compared to chilblains, painful swellings on feet, and toes that appear in the cold. Similarly to chilblains they do not cause any permanent damage and usually regress in days to weeks.

It's not clear why they occur or the mechanism behind the discoloration, because the presentation is rare and in healthy patients. We know COVID can cause systemic inflammation and can increase the risk of clot formation. It may be that localized inflammation is occurring in the toes, causing the vessels to clamp down and reduce blood flow to the area. This is similar to the mechanism for chilblains forming in the foot. Micro-clotting could also be partially responsible for this phenomenon.

COVID Toes is not the only skin symptoms related to COVID. In a paper published in the British Journal of Dermatology, researchers described five common skin presentations in 375 COVID patients. These were:

Asymmetrical chilblain like lesions in the hands and feet, found in younger patients lasting up to 2 weeks.
Small itchy blisters in the trunk and limbs, found in middle-aged patients before they present with symptoms, lasting about 10 days
Pink or white areas of raised skin, itchy, usually on the body
Raised bumps called macropapules, lasting about a week, seen in more severe infections.
Mottled, blotchy red-blue skin (known as livedo) seen in patients with severe illness.

So if you are currently suffering from COVID or have recently recovered from an infection, and suddenly notice odd colored toes, you too may have a case of COVID toes.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Online Mental Health Counselling India: Accessible, Confidential, and Effective Emotional Support

Mental health is becoming one of the most important aspects of healthcare in modern India. With growing stress levels, demanding work environments, academic pressure, social isolation, and lifestyle challenges, millions of people experience emotional distress every year. However, stigma, lack of access to therapists, time constraints, and geographical barriers often prevent individuals from seeking help. Online mental health counselling India is transforming this reality by providing accessible, confidential, and expert-led emotional support through digital platforms.

SecondMedic plays a significant role in democratizing mental healthcare by offering secure online therapy sessions with certified psychologists and counsellors. Through video, audio, or chat-based therapy, individuals can receive timely support from the comfort of their homes.

Why Online Mental Health Counselling Is Growing in India

Multiple factors contribute to India's rapid adoption of virtual mental health services:

1. Rising Stress and Anxiety Levels

According to the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), nearly 1 in 7 Indians experiences a mental health issue. Work pressure, financial uncertainty, social expectations, and academic stress are major contributors.

2. Mental Health Stigma

Many individuals hesitate to visit clinics due to fear of judgment. Online therapy offers privacy and anonymity.

3. Lack of Access to Specialists

India faces a shortage of trained psychologists and psychiatrists, especially in rural towns. Virtual counselling connects people to experts across the country.

4. Pandemic-Driven Awareness

The COVID era encouraged digital-first health approaches, normalizing online therapy.

5. Convenience and Flexibility

Patients can schedule sessions anytime, avoiding travel and time away from work or family.

Conditions Managed Through Online Counselling

Online therapy is highly effective for most emotional and psychological conditions, including:

Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and low mood
Stress and burnout
Relationship or marriage issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and PTSD
Grief and loss
OCD or intrusive thoughts
Sleep issues
Anger management
Low self-esteem
Academic or career stress

SecondMedic’s mental health team includes psychologists trained in CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based therapy, solution-focused therapy, and other evidence-based methods.

How Online Counselling Works

Online therapy makes emotional support more accessible with a seamless process:

Choose a psychologist based on specialization.
Describe concerns or symptoms.
Schedule a video, audio, or chat session.
Attend the session confidentially.
Receive guidance, coping strategies, or therapy exercises.
Continue follow-ups as needed.

Digital therapy ensures that individuals receive continuous support.

Benefits of Online Mental Health Counselling

1. Complete Privacy & Confidentiality

Sessions are encrypted, secure, and DPDP-compliant. Patients can talk freely without fear of judgment.

2. Comfort of Home

A familiar environment helps individuals open up more comfortably.

3. Access to Specialized Therapists

SecondMedic provides access to diverse specialists:

Trauma therapists
Child psychologists
Marriage counsellors
Depression specialists
Workplace counsellors

4. Cost-Effective Mental Healthcare

Online therapy is significantly more affordable than in-person sessions.

5. Flexible Scheduling

Therapy sessions can be booked after work hours or during weekends.

6. Reduced Stigma

Virtual therapy reduces social anxiety associated with walking into a clinic.

7. Long-Term Monitoring

Patients can track progress through regular online check-ins.

Effectiveness of Online Therapy: Scientific Evidence

Studies published by the American Psychological Association (APA) show that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for:

Anxiety
Mild to moderate depression
Stress
Sleep issues
Behavioral problems

For many patients, digital counselling improves continuity of care and adherence to therapy plans.

Online Counselling for Students and Young Adults

Students face:

Academic pressure
Social anxiety
Career anxiety
Relationship challenges
Identity struggles

Online therapy provides accessible, youth-friendly support tailored to modern challenges.

Online Therapy for Working Professionals

Professionals often deal with:

Corporate stress
Burnout
Work-life imbalance
Isolation in remote work
Performance anxiety

Virtual counselling helps manage these issues without disrupting their work routine.

Mental Health Care in Rural India

Online counselling is particularly valuable for rural communities where mental health facilities are minimal.

Advantages include:

Affordable emotional support
No travel barriers
Multilingual therapy options
Greater anonymity
Access to trained professionals

SecondMedic extends services to remote regions to ensure equitable mental health support.

Digital Tools Supporting Therapy

Modern digital therapy platforms integrate:

Mood tracking
Stress monitoring
Guided meditation modules
Journaling tools
AI-based mental wellness check-ins

These tools reinforce emotional well-being between sessions.

Challenges in Online Mental Health Counselling

Internet connectivity issues
Reluctance to adopt therapy
Severe psychiatric conditions requiring in-person care
Privacy concerns among new users

SecondMedic addresses these with user-friendly design, encrypted data, and clear guidelines.

Future of Online Therapy in India

The future holds:

AI-assisted emotion analysis
Virtual reality exposure therapy
Digital CBT platforms
Mental health bots for early intervention
Nationwide mental health EHR integration

SecondMedic is actively evolving its platform to support advanced digital mental health solutions.

Conclusion

Online mental health counselling India provides accessible, confidential, and expert support for emotional well-being. Whether managing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, or relationship challenges, SecondMedic ensures safe, effective, and continuous therapy that fits modern lifestyles.

To book an online counselling session, visit www.secondmedic.com

References

National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) India
WHO - Mental health and digital therapy guidelines
APA - Effectiveness of online counselling
Statista - Mental health service adoption in India
ICMR - Mental health burden in India
SecondMedic mental health insights

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