TLDR COVID-19 can cause various skin problems, including reactions to protective gear and medication, with different rates reported worldwide, and more research is needed to fully understand these skin issues.
In 2020, a review was conducted on the dermatological manifestations of COVID-19. The study found that skin problems varied among patients, with some experiencing issues due to personal protective equipment and others showing skin reactions to anti-COVID-19 drugs. The frequency of skin lesions associated with COVID-19 varied, with a Chinese study of 1099 cases showing an incidence of 0.2%, and an Italian series of 88 patients showing an incidence of 20.4%. The review also reported various skin eruptions in COVID-19 patients, with a Spanish publication classifying the skin lesions into 5 types. In children, a lesion similar to Kawasaki syndrome was reported. The review also noted skin damages among healthcare workers due to prolonged use of PPE, with eczema being the most common problem. The review concluded that more research was needed to fully understand the dermatological manifestations of COVID-19.
80 citations,
June 2020 in “Dermatopathology” COVID-19 can cause various skin lesions, which may result from the virus and immune response, and are not directly linked to illness severity.
176 citations,
May 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” COVID-19 can cause different skin symptoms that may help with early diagnosis and show how severe the disease is.
134 citations,
April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.
44 citations,
March 2020 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The pandemic has pushed dermatology education and care to adopt digital solutions, which are effective and likely to continue post-pandemic.
25 citations,
July 2021 in “Journal of Medical Virology” COVID-19 can cause various skin issues, including rashes and hair loss, which usually heal on their own and don't always indicate severe illness.
18 citations,
November 2021 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” COVID-19 can cause various skin issues, like rashes and lesions, which are more common in younger patients and can be linked to more severe complications.
82 citations,
June 2020 in “Inflammation Research” Skin problems in COVID-19 patients are rare and may be due to the body's complex immune response or blood clotting issues.
114 citations,
January 2007 in “Drug Safety” Some drugs can cause skin, nail, and hair problems, which are important for healthcare professionals to recognize and report.
November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology” The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.
