This is the most specific COVID rash as not many other skin conditions present in this way. The skin changes are known as chilblains and were relatively rare before COVID because they are typically seen during cold spells and in people who are likely to have problems with circulation in the fingers or toes. However, at the start of the pandemic, Dermatologists noticed this type of rash much more frequently and in warm weather which was very unusual. Eventually the link with COVID was made.
This rash seems to be more common in younger people. The rash appears as reddish and purplish bumps on the fingers or toes and can affect many digits. It usually presents later in the infection and may appear weeks after the onset of the viral infection. The fingers and toes are usually sore, but not itchy. When the rash recovers, the top layers of the skin may peel where the purplish bumps were with large, scaly patches during the recovery period.