Can Covid-19 Affect My Skin?

COVID-19 is a respiratory pathogen that occasionally causes systematic in severe cases. Research has shown that it is caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This review will examine the direct and indirect skin features such as hand sanitizers and personal protective equipment (PPE).

However, the high level of mental and social stress induced by the current pandemic can also cause skin diseases. COVID-19 can affect the skin in five different patterns: maculopapular rash, vesicular rash, pseudo-chilblain, livedo, and urticarial. Red rash and urticarial have been considered the most common manifestation of covid-19.

About 7% of the patients who tested positive for Covid-19 have numerous skin symptoms. The wide range of skin diseases in this illness is caused by variations in the virus, differential host factors, and co-infection by other viruses like HZV.

Here are some of the common side effects COVID-19 may have on your skin;

Widespread small red bumps and multiple flat red patches. They are the maculopapular eruptions that are associated with severe disease. 

Chilblain-like symptoms, commonly called  "COVID toes." They affect the hands or feet, or both at the same time. These red-purple discolored skin can sometimes be painful and itchy and are often accompanied by small blisters or bumps.

Hives or urticarial. They are pink or red itchy rashes that appear as blotches or raised red lumps, and they range from the size of a pinhead to a dinner plate. The swellings usually disappear within minutes to hours in one spot but can come and go. Hives are primarily clear in ten days and coincide with other symptoms in all ages.

Water blisters. These are usually fluid-filled micro-blisters that may appear early in the disease or any other time. It often occurs on the hands, and middle-aged patients of COVID-19 are prone to it. The blisters will last just for over ten days. It’s also known as vesicular eruption.

The rash is associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome. It is common in children. The immune system overdrive triggers an inflammation of the heart and the blood vessels, resulting in blood clotting and shock symptoms. This rare complication can occur up to three months after a child has had COVID-19.

Hair loss. Its also known as telogen effluvium and may occur in patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19. It results in the body shutting down unnecessary activities due to stress syndrome.

 

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34385203/

2. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210820/How-can-COVID-19-affect-the-skin.aspx

3. https://opendermatologyjournal.com/VOLUME/14/PAGE/28/FULLTEXT/

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