I developed 'COVID toes' and was able to schedule a coronavirus antibody test. Here's what my experience was like.

The author in a face mask.Juliana Kaplan/Business Insider

• I had 'COVID toes,' a strange foot infection that can be a coronavirus symptom.
• I consulted my doctor, who told me that a coronavirus test likely wouldn't be helpful — but an antibody one would be.
• When I saw that Quest Diagnostics was offering one, I was able to book a same-day appointment and receive results within 12 hours.
• However, the test came back negative, leaving me with more confusion.
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It began with what I thought was athlete's foot: a strange, irritable foot rash that had come out of nowhere.

In early March, I certainly wasn't going outside, nor strenuously exercising. I was mostly glued to my laptop all day editing and reporting coronavirus news, and, when I did venture outdoors for air, I often stayed within the confines of my street, worried about overcrowding.

So, when the rash appeared — and I found myself regularly soaking my feet in a burning bath of Epsom salt to try and reduce the irritation — I was pretty confused.

Then, I saw a Business Insider article: "COVID toes" might be the latest unusual sign that people are infected with the novel coronavirus. I realized that my feet looked almost exactly like the photographs of healing toes.

"COVID toes" — which are purple and swollen — can be a sign of a coronavirus infection. As Business Insider's Yeji Jesse Lee reported, patients who have them tend to be younger and may not experience other symptoms — which tracked with my experience.

I consulted with my doctor, who told me that if I took a COVID-19 diagnostic test, it would probably come out negative. An antibody test would be more revealing — if I was able to access one.

So when Quest Diagnostics announced that you could order an antibody test online — and then go to one of their facilities for testing — I jumped at the chance. I did not receive any special access to a test as a member of the media; I booked one as anyone else would — and can. Here's how I did it.