Cutaneous Manifestations of COVID-19 and Vaccines for Its Prevention: A Review of the Existing Literature
April 2026
in “
Portuguese Journal of Dermatology and Venereology
”
TLDR COVID-19 and its vaccines can cause various skin issues due to viral effects, immune responses, and stress.
This review explores the diverse skin manifestations linked to COVID-19 and its vaccines, highlighting their clinical significance. It identifies mechanisms such as direct viral effects, immune dysregulation, drug reactions, and autoimmune reactivation as contributors to these dermatologic issues. The review also notes that vaccines can cause skin reactions similar to those from the virus, due to vaccine components and immune responses. Additionally, the pandemic's psychological stress and social isolation have exacerbated pre-existing skin conditions. The study emphasizes the importance of further research into the mechanisms and management of these skin manifestations.