The world is finally re-opening after months of lockdown and quarantines. However, despite that, experts are still learning new things about the novel coronavirus that is affecting us until now, including symptoms associated with it.
COVID-19 Has a New Symptom?
In a report by the Daily Express, there might be a new symptom associated with the coronavirus infection or COVID-19, and it's something you shouldn't ignore: a tingling sensation in your extremities, especially in the hands.
Hand-tingling is not listed as a symptom of the viral infection since it is not common, but experts are not ignoring it as some of the patients in the UK have reportedly experienced this.
According to the news outlet, patients with the coronavirus reported a static-like, buzzing pain in their hands, and there was even one patient who said that the tingling sensation in her extremities was her first symptom of COVID-19 infection.
People on social media have also started to report the feeling of "buzzing" and "electric feeling" in their body and skin.
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How Paresthesia Might be Linked to Coronavirus Infection
According to Dr. Waleed Javaid, the director of infection prevention and control at the Mount Sinai Downtown, if experts are to be asked, this sensation could be due to the immune system's reaction to the infection located in New York.
"There's a widespread immune response that is happening. Our immune cells get activated, so a lot of chemicals get released throughout our body, and that can present or feel like there's some fizzing," Javaid explained in a past interview with Today.
The doctor further said that people could feel different sensations when our immune system is acting up, such as in the case of COVID-19.
In addition, he has heard of this symptom before with other illnesses.
This symptom, clinically known as paresthesia, would feel similar to having pins or needles prickling your skin or body and is caused by pressure on a nerve or if a certain part of your body experienced periods of poor circulation.
According to experts, people who are suffering from diabetes and various autoimmune conditions are likely to experience this tingling, buzzing, or burning sensation.
Do Not Ignore
Dr. Arthur Gran, an infectious disease specialist from the St. Peter's Health Partners located in Troy, New York, said that he did not see any specific reasons as to why the coronavirus would cause such symptoms.
However, he said that it's not impossible for a person to feel changes in nerve sensations due to COVID-19, even if it's not a neurologic virus since it has also caused the loss of smell and taste, which are nerves in the brain.
In addition, these symptoms are usually reported by coronavirus patients that only have mild symptoms and can still stay at their own homes, instead of those with severe complications that require intensive care.
Whether paresthesia is indeed caused by COVID-19 or not, it is still essential to have it checked by a physician if it happens for no reason.
Chronic paresthesia could be caused by an underlying neurological disease or traumatic nerve damage, which should be treated as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
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