The UK is in the midst of another relentless Covid wave, as cases of the now dominant Omicron strain surge across the country.
While case numbers have substantially dropped since peaking around the New Year - with 245,182 cases recorded on January 4, the UK is still recording around tens of thousands of Covid cases every day, with a further 92,368 logged yesterday.
We're all familiar with the traditional signs of Covid, such as a new cough and fever — however, experts are warning that a few strange skin symptoms could mean you have contracted the virus.
It's important to keep an eye out for the known signs of the variant, and new variants as they appear, in order to curb the spread.
Omicron has proven so far to be more mild than the variants that came before it, with a majority of sufferers experiencing cold-like symptoms.
However, some people have also been displaying skin symptoms, six of which have been confirmed by experts to be a possible sign of the virus.
Hives
One of the lesser-known but common symptoms of Omicron is a skin rash, according to the ZOE COVID Study app.
Described as “a fourth key sign” of the coronavirus infection, there have been two types of rashes reported by Covid positive patients.
The first is a hive-type rash that comes on suddenly in the form of raised bumps on your skin. These tend to be very itchy and often start with intense itching of the palms or soles.
Prickly heat
The second type of rash is a prickly heat rash that comes on as areas of small, itchy, red bumps. Though they can appear anywhere on the body, this kind of rash tends to be most common on elbows, knees and the backs of hands and feet.
While the hive-type rashes tend to come and go quickly, the prickly heat rash can persist for days or weeks, according to ZOE.
The Sun Online reports that a London GP has previously warned that kids with Omicron had presented with rashes.
However, the clinic hadn’t seen rashes on adult sufferers of Omicron until recently.
Dr David Lloyd said around 15 per cent of the young people with confirmed cases of Omicron had developed spots, typically experienced alongside fatigue, headaches and a loss of appetite.
The team at CovidSkinSigns have also reported a number of people presenting with papular and viscular rashes.
"It appears as red and bumpy areas which may occur anywhere on the body but like the elbows and knees as well as the back of the hands and feet. It can resemble bad prickly heat,” they said.
While in some cases, the signs were relatively subtle, the rash was also usually very itchy.
It could also last well after the contagious period of the Covid infection was over.
Discoloured skin
A rare complication in serious Covid cases can cause oxygen levels in the blood to drop.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has described this as an “emergency warning sign”.
Anyone who notices a change in the colour of their skin, especially when paired with trouble breathing, persistent pain, pressure in the chest, inability to stay awake or confusion, to seek out help “immediately”.
Patients that fall into a “vulnerable” category along with older patients were more likely to develop a more severe illness, especially with Omicron.
However, younger healthy patients can in rare cases also need medical help.
Covid toes
According to most recent reports, anyone of any age can get Covid toes - though children and teens typically suffer more with the condition.
Covid toes give you chilblain-like inflammation on the hands and feet and it can last for up to months at a time.
Chilblains are small, itchy, red patches that can appear after a person has been in the cold.
It usually occurs within four weeks of contracting the virus and can go unnoticed by some, while others may find persistent itchiness.
The American Academy of Dermatology say that to reduce any pain or itching, applying hydrocortisone could help.
“Covid toes” has been a key symptom for all of the Covid variants thus far.
Sore lips
A number of people who contract the Omicron strain have reported their cold-like symptoms extending to the lips, which they have found to be cold or chapped.
According to the experts at CovidSkinSigns, lips may feel sore, dry and scaly as they recover.
Dry skin
Another commonly-reported Covid symptom is eczema, which sufferers have said shows up on their neck and chest.
The CovidSkinSigns have said the rash appears on the neck and chest on areas exposed o sunlight.
"It is usually quite pink and is very itchy. It can appear at any time during or after the infection and usually lasts a long time,” they added.
