Call
+918447748545

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

Read Blog

why fatigue should not be ignored

Feeling tired occasionally is a normal response to physical exertion, lack of sleep or emotional stress. However, when fatigue becomes persistent, overwhelming or unexplained, it should not be dismissed. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported in healthcare, yet it is also one of the most frequently ignored.

Understanding why fatigue should not be ignored is essential because it often acts as an early warning sign of deeper physical or mental health issues.

What Is Fatigue?

Fatigue is a state of ongoing physical, mental or emotional exhaustion that:

lasts longer than expected
interferes with daily activities
does not improve with rest or sleep

Unlike ordinary tiredness, fatigue affects motivation, concentration and overall functioning.

Why Fatigue Is Commonly Ignored

Fatigue is often dismissed because:

busy lifestyles normalise exhaustion
symptoms develop gradually
people attribute fatigue to stress or ageing
rest temporarily masks the issue

Ignoring fatigue allows underlying conditions to progress unnoticed.

Common Medical Causes of Persistent Fatigue

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies in:

iron
vitamin B12
vitamin D
magnesium

can significantly reduce energy levels and cause weakness.

Anaemia

Anaemia reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to:

constant tiredness
breathlessness
dizziness

It is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed causes of fatigue.

Thyroid Disorders

Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions affect metabolism.

Symptoms include:

fatigue
weight changes
cold or heat intolerance

Thyroid-related fatigue often persists despite rest.

Chronic Infections

Low-grade or unresolved infections keep the immune system activated, causing prolonged fatigue.

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones regulate energy, sleep and metabolism.

Imbalance may lead to:

exhaustion
poor sleep
low motivation

Poor Sleep Quality

Even with sufficient sleep duration, poor sleep quality can cause fatigue due to:

sleep apnea
frequent awakenings
stress-related insomnia

Mental Health Conditions

Anxiety, depression and chronic stress commonly present with fatigue as a primary symptom.

Mental fatigue is as real and impactful as physical fatigue.

Lifestyle Factors That Worsen Fatigue

Certain habits intensify tiredness:

irregular meals
excessive caffeine
dehydration
lack of physical activity
prolonged screen use

Lifestyle-related fatigue often coexists with medical causes.

How Fatigue Affects Daily Life

Persistent fatigue impacts:

work performance
concentration and memory
emotional regulation
physical activity
social relationships

Over time, quality of life declines significantly.

Warning Signs That Fatigue Needs Medical Attention

Seek evaluation if fatigue:

lasts more than two weeks
worsens progressively
occurs with weight loss or fever
is associated with breathlessness
interferes with daily tasks

These signs suggest an underlying issue.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Early identification of fatigue causes:

prevents disease progression
simplifies treatment
improves recovery time
restores normal energy levels

Delayed care often leads to chronic complications.

Diagnostic Evaluation for Fatigue

Assessment may include:

detailed history
blood tests
nutritional screening
hormonal evaluation
sleep assessment

Testing helps identify root causes rather than treating symptoms alone.

Can Fatigue Be Prevented?

Some preventive measures include:

balanced nutrition
adequate hydration
regular physical activity
consistent sleep routine
stress management

However, prevention does not replace evaluation when fatigue persists.

Fatigue and Chronic Disease Risk

Long-term fatigue may be linked to:

cardiovascular disease
metabolic disorders
immune dysfunction

This makes fatigue an important early health signal.

When Rest Is Not Enough

If energy does not return after:

adequate sleep
reduced workload
lifestyle changes

medical evaluation is essential.

The Cost of Ignoring Fatigue

Ignoring fatigue can lead to:

delayed diagnosis
worsening health conditions
reduced productivity
emotional burnout

Listening to the body early prevents long-term consequences.

Conclusion

Fatigue is not merely a sign of a busy life—it is often the body’s way of signalling imbalance or illness. Persistent tiredness that does not improve with rest should never be ignored. Whether caused by nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, chronic stress or underlying disease, fatigue deserves attention. Early evaluation and timely care can restore energy, prevent complications and significantly improve quality of life. Listening to fatigue is an act of self-care and preventive health.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Fatigue and Lifestyle Health Report
World Health Organization (WHO) – Chronic Fatigue and Health Guidelines
National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) – Nutrient Deficiency and Energy Research
Lancet – Fatigue as a Marker of Chronic Disease Studie
Indian Journal of Medicine – Persistent Fatigue and Diagnosis
Statista – Fatigue, Stress and Health Trend Analysis

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.