COVID-19 Rash: Are Rashes and Skin Conditions a Symptom of Coronavirus Infection?

A rash probably isn’t the first symptom that comes to mind when thinking of COVID-19. But in addition to a runny nose, cough, and sore throat, COVID can also cause symptoms in the skin.

In general, skin changes due to COVID aren’t very common. According to studies, about 6% of people with COVID may experience them. But it’s still helpful to know what a COVID rash looks like and what you can do about it.

What kinds of rashes are common with COVID?

There’s no single COVID rash. Like with other viral illnesses, there are many different types of rashes you can get with COVID. None of them is very common, but they can happen both in adults and children.

COVID rashes can look like:

• Red, purple, or brown bumps

• Blisters

• Itchy patches or bumps

• Violet or black tiny dots or patches

Here are the main types of COVID rashes.

Morbilliform or ‘measles-like’ rash

Don’t be put off by the strange name. It just means a “measles-like” rash. Another name for this rash is a maculopapular rash. This is the most common type of rash that people get with COVID. It’s also common with other viral infections and as a reaction to some medications.

• What it looks like: These are small bumps or patches that are red, purple, or brown. The color often fades with pressure. 

• Where it appears: The rash is usually limited to the trunk (torso, back, and abdominal areas).

• What it feels like: It can be itchy. 

• Timing: It usually starts within the first few days of a COVID infection and can last 1 to 2 weeks. 

Here’s what a morbilliform or maculopapular rash looks like in different skin tones.

A morbilliform rash on the torso.

In darker skin tones, a morbilliform rash may be harder to see.

COVID toes 

“COVID toes” is the name given to swollen and discolored toes that happen in some people with COVID. It seems to be more common in children and young adults with COVID. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• COVID-19 or cold? Here are the most common COVID symptoms — and how to tell the difference between COVID and a cold. 

• Top causes of rash in children: When your child gets a new rash, it can help to know the likely causes (with pictures), so you can plan your next steps. 

• Hives are itchy rashes that come and go. Many things can cause hives, from food to medications and even viruses. Learn about common triggers and how to treat them.

COVID toes are a type of chilblains. There are many causes of chilblains, most commonly due to exposure to cold temperatures. COVID is just one cause. Experts aren’t sure why chilblains happen with COVID. But it’s possible they happen as a result of an immune reaction to the virus that causes COVID.

• What it looks like: These are small round red, purple, or brown spots that can be mottled (different colors) and swollen. Sometimes the spot turns into a blister. 

• Where it appears: The rash usually affects one or more toes. It can also affect the fingers. 

• What it feels like: It can hurt or itch. 

• Timing: It can develop before or after other COVID symptoms, and usually lasts for 1 to 2 weeks. 

Here’s what chilblains look like. These aren’t “COVID toes” specifically, but they’re similar. 

Chilblains on darker skin.

Chilblains on the toes in fair skin.

COVID hives

COVID hives (also called urticaria) are another type of rash linked to COVID. It’s likely that a COVID infection triggers a hyperactive immune reaction that causes these hives. COVID hives may be the first sign of infection. 

• What it looks like: Hives are smooth, raised bumps (welts) that can be red, purple, or skin-colored.

• Where it appears: Hives can appear anywhere, but they’re most common on the torso, back, arms, and legs.

• What it feels like: It’s very itchy.

• Timing: Hives can start anytime during a COVID infection and can reappear in different locations around the body. They usually go away once COVID resolves or sooner. 

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Here’s what hives look like in different skin tones. 

Hives on Black skin are more subtle.

Hives on fairer skin.

Vesicles (blisters)

Vesicles (COVID blisters) aren’t as common, but they may also be the first sign of a COVID infection.

• What it looks like: The small, fluid-filled bumps look like tiny blisters. 

• Where it appears: It’s localized to the torso or it can spread from the torso outwards to the arms and legs. 

• What it feels like: It can be itchy. 

• When it starts: Vesicles start early in a COVID infection and usually clear within 10 days.

Vaso-occlusive lesions

This is the least common type of rash linked to COVID. That’s because it’s linked to more severe cases of COVID. It’s more likely to happen in people who are hospitalized with a COVID infection.

Vaso-occlusive skin lesions happen as a result of blockages in small blood vessels in the skin. This prevents the skin from getting enough oxygen.

• What it looks like: These are purple, brown, or black patches, that are sometimes arranged in a circular pattern. 

• Where it appears: These lesions are more common on the torso, forearms, hands, and feet. 

• What it feels like: It can be painful. 

• Timing: This rash starts after a COVID infection and is often associated with more severe COVID symptoms (like severe pneumonia).

Less common COVID rashes

There are other rarer rashes that have been linked to COVID:

• Petechiae (small dark-red or brown dots on the skin from tiny blood vessels bursting)

• Livedo reticularis (a purple, net-like rash commonly seen on the legs)

• Canker sores (mouth sores) 

COVID rash in kids

Studies show that children can get the same types of rashes that adults get, most commonly hives or maculopapular rash. But children tend to have milder COVID infections. As a result, COVID toes (or fingers) or other rashes may be their only sign of a COVID infection. Most COVID rashes in kids usually go away on their own as their COVID infection resolves.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

In rare situations, some kids may have a more serious medical condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This is a complication of COVID that usually happens 4 to 6 weeks after an active infection. 

The rash in MIS-C can look different in different kids. Some may have a morbilliform rash, while others develop large patches of red or violet skin. These kids are also more likely to have lesions in or near their mouths. In addition to a rash, here are other symptoms of MIS-C to look for: 

• Bloodshot eyes

• Pink eye

• Swollen tongue

• Pale, gray, or blue lips

• Fever

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Confusion

The risk of MIS-C has gone down since COVID vaccinations have become available. 

Are there any COVID rash treatments?

Most COVID rashes go away on their own as the body fights the COVID infection. (Exceptions are the more serious rashes like vaso-occlusive lesions and rashes linked to MIS-C in children.) 

But if you’re uncomfortable with rash symptoms, these at-home treatments can help: 

• Over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone or calamine lotion to help with itching 

• Cold compresses to lower swelling 

• OTC pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen

• Oatmeal baths to soothe itchy or irritated skin 

• OTC antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra) to help with itching

How long does a COVID rash normally last?

Most COVID rashes typically last a week or two. However, some people may experience the COVID toes rash for much longer — from weeks to months. This is most likely to happen when someone has long COVID. In this situation, the rash may last as long as the person has other COVID symptoms.

What should you do if you think you have a COVID rash?

If you have a new rash or other COVID symptoms, you can take a test to see if you have COVID or not. Remember, a COVID rash may be the only sign of COVID. 

If you do have COVID, here are some steps you may want to take:

• See your primary care provider for COVID treatment, if needed.

• Stay home from work or school.

• Avoid people with risk factors for severe COVID, like older adults or those with a weakened immune system.

• Treat your COVID rash (as explained above) if it’s bothering you. 

If you’re concerned about your rash, your primary care provider or a board-certified dermatologist can help make a diagnosis and suggest treatment options. Many clinicians offer virtual visits that you can set up from home.

Is a COVID rash contagious?

COVID rashes themselves aren’t contagious. But if you have COVID and a rash, you can transmit the virus to others. This is true even if you don’t have other symptoms of COVID, like a runny nose, cough, or sore throat.

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Written by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. A pulmonologist and hospitalist, she practiced and taught clinical medicine at hospitals in London for a decade before entering a career in health education and technology.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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