Professor attracts consideration to lesser-known signal within the legs of Long Covid

Around two million folks dwell with the persisting signs of coronavirus, also called Long Covid, in line with the Office for National Statistics.

Headlined by signs like tiredness and focus issues, the long-term situation causes an array of debilitating issues.

Although scientists are nonetheless attempting to completely perceive the precise affect of Long Covid on the physique, it appears to have an effect on a number of techniques.

Now, a brand new examine, printed within the Lancet, proposes a brand new candidate for the record of Long Covid signs.

The analysis staff highlighted an uncommon case of an extended Covid affected person’s legs turning blue after 10 minutes of standing.

The scientists at the moment are calling for better consciousness of this symptom amongst folks with the situation. 

The analysis paper regarded on the case of a 33-year-old man who developed venous pooling of blood within the legs, also called acrocyanosis.

A minute after standing, the person’s legs started to redden and have become more and more blue over time, along with his veins turning into extra outstanding. 

After 10 minutes, the blue color was much more pronounced, with the affected person describing a heavy, itchy sensation in his legs. 

However, this vibrant signal isn’t everlasting and may return again to regular after resting.

The man’s authentic pores and skin color got here again two minutes after he returned to a non-standing place. 

The affected person defined he had began to expertise the discolouration since his COVID-19 an infection. 

He was additionally recognized with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a situation that causes an irregular improve in coronary heart price on standing.  

Author of the examine, Dr Manoj Sivan from the University of Leeds, mentioned: “This was a striking case of acrocyanosis in a patient who had not experienced it before his COVID-19 infection.  

“Patients experiencing this may not be aware that it can be a symptom of Long Covid and dysautonomia and may feel concerned about what they are seeing. 

“Similarly, clinicians may not be aware of the link between acrocyanosis and Long Covid. 

“We need to ensure that there is more awareness of dysautonomia in Long Covid so that clinicians have the tools they need to manage patients appropriately.” 

Previous research from Dr Sivan’s team has shown that both dysautonomia and POTS frequently develop in people with Long Covid. 

However, Long Covid isn’t the only long-term condition that spurs on the colourful sign.

Legs turning blue are also associated with the likes of fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.  

Dr Sivan added: “We need more awareness about dysautonomia in long-term conditions; more effective assessment and management approaches, and further research into the syndrome. This will enable both patients and clinicians to better manage these conditions.”