Symptomatology and Treatment of COVID-19 Affecting Skin Appendages: A Narrative Review Beyond Covid-Toes
October 2022
in “
PubMed
”
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Studysummary This review explores the impact of COVID-19 on skin appendages beyond COVID-toes, highlighting hair and nail disorders in affected individuals, but provides no new clinical results.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The review discusses the impact of COVID-19 on skin appendages, focusing on symptoms beyond the commonly reported 'COVID-toes'. The research found that COVID-19 can affect skin appendages in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The most common hair disorders in COVID-19 patients are telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata. Nails are less commonly affected, with splinter hemorrhages and leukonychia being the most frequent findings. SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins have been identified in eccrine sweat glands, but sebaceous glands seem to be uninvolved. Alopecia areata is often seen in asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, while telogen effluvium is observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The 'half-moon sign' on nails could indicate a more severe course of COVID-19. The review also summarizes treatment options for these conditions.
