Experts warn of lesser-known ‘key’ Omicron symptom to watch out for on your skin

BRITS are now familiar with the key signs to watch out for as Omicron spreads throughout the nation.

But experts have warned of one symptom that is much less known, and might be easily missed.

It's an idea to keep an eye on your skin, while infection rates are still high - as the variant can cause rashes, sufferers have reported.

A string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.

Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.

The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.

According to the ZOE Covid Symptom Study App, people who have caught the variant say they experience skin rashes.

The experts have described them as "key" symptoms to notice.

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There are two different kinds of rashes logged by Brits who test positive.

The first is more like a hive-type rash that appears suddenly.

It can show up in the form of raised bumps and is very itchy - it can often start with intense itchy palms or soles.

The second is more like a prickly heat rash that pops up all over the body, although more common on the elbows, knees and the backs of hands and feet.

A GP in London previously warned that kids with Omicron had presented with rashes, but it hadn't been seen as prevalent in adults until recently.

Dr David Lloyd said he had seen about 15 per cent of youngsters with confirmed Omicron cases developing spots.

They also suffered with fatigue, headaches and a loss of appetite - which seems to fit with the most common variant symptoms reported so far in adults.

The health expert told Sky News the difference in symptoms was "quite important", along with the rash.

It comes after experts have warned Covid cases could be missed as people are looking for the wrong symptoms.

At present, the NHS says the three main symptoms to look out for include a new persistent cough, a loss of taste and smell and a high temperature.

But experts at the ZOE Symptom Track app study say most people aren't presenting with any of the classic signs.

Data from the app shows people who catch the Omicron variant usually present with symptoms within 48 hours of catching the bug.

These include a runny nose, dry/scratchy throat, headache, fatigue and sneezing.

Lower back pain, muscle aches and night sweats are also key symptoms, and the lead on the study, King's College London's Professor Tim Spector, said people need to be aware that this has turned into a more 'cold-like' illness.