Alterations of the tongue (but also of the hands and feet) are early symptoms of Covid-19. The Spanish study

Losing taste and smell is often a symptom of Covid-19 infection: today we know that this is associated with changes in the tongue

Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

Losing taste and smell is often a symptom of Covid-19 infection: today we know that this is associated with alterations of the tongue, thanks to a study by the Servicio de Dermatología of the University Hospital La Paz in Madrid. The discovery can lead to early diagnosis of the disease.

Research doctors from the La Paz University Hospital called language Covid an increasing tongue and other lesions such as smoother areas, often associated with loss of taste. This symptom - it was already known - can be a sign of the presence of SARS-CoV-2, and today we know that it can also be "visible", increasing the probability of early diagnosis of the infection (Read also: Covid19: the loss of taste and smell is a symptom that is more disorienting than expected).

The study was led by the dermatology service of the Madrid hospital, with the participation of eight general practitioners who treated patients with full-blown covid-19 pneumonia in April during the first wave of the pandemic.

The results showed that 25% of patients, 1 in 4, had alterations in the tongue and mouth, but not only: up to 40% also in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, with a sensation of burning and redness followed, on some occasions, from peeling or the appearance of some very characteristic small spots.

The study, however, does present some limits, as pointed out by the researchers themselves: first, only patients with mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were included in the study, with no possibility of providing data on skin disease in asymptomatic or more severe patients. Furthermore, all patients were adults and the prevalence of mucocutaneous findings may be different in children. Finally, as the work was conducted over a 2-week period, some earlier or late skin manifestations may have been lost.

The limits, however, do not affect the results, which are quite clear.

©British Journal of Dermatology

"In summary, nearly half of patients with Covid-19 pneumonia mild to moderate, hospitalized in a field hospital for a period of 2 weeks, it showed found mucocutaneous - the authors of the research write - The oral cavity has been frequently involved and deserves a specific examination in appropriate circumstances to avoid the risk of contagion. Redness and swelling of the hands and feet, fine palmar-plantar flaking and reddish to brown macules can help us diagnose Covid-19 infection and should be checked regularly ”.

The infection had been linked to multiple symptoms: respiratory, thrombotic, neurological, digestive, or cutaneous. The latter have been classified into five types, but the oral alterations and palm-plantar lesions had not been taken into consideration. These results therefore add an important extra piece to the patchwork of knowledge of the pandemic that has shocked us all.

The work was published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Sources of reference: Comunidad de Madrid / British Journal of Dermatology

Read also:

• Coronavirus loss of smell is very different from that of a cold
• Coronavirus: the sudden loss of taste and smell among the symptoms of "healthy" patients. The English analysis