“Blue feet”, an impressive new symptom of prolonged Covid

A doctor at the University of Leeds suffered an unusual long-lasting Covid symptom. His patient, a 33-year-old man, could no longer stand for more than 10 minutes and was prone to feeling heaviness, tingling and itching in his legs. To make matters worse, within minutes they take on a strange blue hue. When he sits down, his legs return to normal position. This person has been suffering from this strange problem for six months. According to Dr. Manoj Sivan who is behind this case report appeared in the LancetSymptoms match those of acrocyanosis, which is apparently caused by COVID-19.

legs turn blue in long covid

Acrocyanosis is a disease of the blood vessels that causes discoloration of the skin of the extremities – which then appears blue – due to poor oxygenation of the tissues. In this patient, acrocyanosis is combined with another cardiac problem: postural tachycardia syndrome (or POTS). Dysautonomia causes the heart rate to increase by about 30 beats per minute when affected individuals stand up. Postural tachycardia syndrome will be quite common in long-term Covid.

, This is a remarkable case of acrocyanosis in a patient who had not experienced it prior to his COVID-19. Concerned patients are not aware that this may be a symptom of long Covid or dysautonomia and may feel anxious about their condition. Similarly, doctors may not be aware of a connection between acrocyanosis and long Covid. explains Manoj Sivan in a press release from the University of Leeds. POTS is treatable with medication and lifestyle changes.