Cutaneous Signs in COVID-19 Patients: A Review
May 2020
in “
Dermatologic Therapy
”
TLDR COVID-19 can cause different skin symptoms that may help with early diagnosis and show how severe the disease is.
The review article from May 29, 2020, discussed the range of skin symptoms associated with COVID-19 and their potential to aid in early diagnosis and assessing the severity of the disease. It mentioned that certain skin manifestations like chilblain-like eruptions and erythema multiforme-like lesions were more common in younger patients with a milder form of COVID-19, while more severe cases in adults often presented with acro-ischemic lesions and maculopapular rash. Urticaria with fever was noted as an early sign of infection. The review also referenced a clinical study of 41 Caucasian males with bilateral pneumonia and COVID-19, where 71% had androgenetic alopecia, suggesting a possible connection between androgens and the severity of COVID-19. This could be due to the role of androgens in the expression of TMPRSS2, a protease necessary for SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells, and in modulating the immune response. The article stressed the importance of documenting these cutaneous signs to better understand their implications during the pandemic.
