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According to a new study, dermatologists have identified five skin conditions associated with the coronavirus.
The research, carried out on 375 patients in Spain, aimed to build an image of how the disease could manifest itself in skin symptoms.
Through the Spanish Academy of Dermatology, all Spanish dermatologists were asked to help identify patients who had an unexplained skin “rash” in the past two weeks and who suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
A standardized questionnaire was used and photos of skin conditions were taken to detect patterns of the possible effect of the virus on the skin.
The authors of the study, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, said that in some cases it was difficult to know whether the skin conditions were directly caused by the coronavirus or by indicated complications.
(Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
As a result, the public is urged not to attempt to self-diagnose Covid-19 based on skin symptoms, because rashes and injuries are common and difficult to tell apart without medical experience.
Chilblain-like symptoms
The study found that chilblain-like symptoms were identified in 19% of their cases.
Described as “acral areas of erythema-edema with some vesicles or pustules”, these lesions affect the hands and feet and may resemble small itchy swellings of chilblains.
They are small red or purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin and are generally asymmetrical in appearance, according to the study.
(Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
(Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
Symptoms were associated with younger patients, lasted an average of 12.7 days, appeared later in the Covid-19 course, and were associated with less severe cases of the disease.
Vesicular rashes
In 9% of cases, dermatologists identified “vesicular rashes,” described as outbreaks of small, commonly itchy, blisters that appeared on the trunk of the body.
These can also affect people’s limbs, can fill with blood, and can become larger or longer.
They were associated with middle-aged patients, lasted an average of 10.4 days, appeared more frequently before other symptoms, and were associated with intermediate severity of the disease.
Urticarial lesions.
A third condition, identified in 19% of cases, was called “urticarial lesions,” which consist of raised pink or white areas of the skin that resemble a nettle rash.
Known as welts, they usually itch and can spread throughout the body, even in some cases on the palms of the hands.
(Image: Getty Images)
Maculopapules
Among the other 47% of cases, “other maculopapules” were identified: small, flat and raised red bumps.
In some cases, these were distributed around the hair follicles and had varying degrees of peeling.
The study said the appearance resembles pityriasis rosea, a common skin condition.
Blood stains under the skin may also be present, either as spots or spots or in larger areas.
Urticarial lesions were found to last an average of 6.8 days, while a maculopapular condition lasted an average of 8.6 days.
They generally appeared at the same time as other Covid-19 symptoms, were associated with more severe cases of Covid-19, and itching was very common.
(Image: Paco Freire / SOPA Images / Shutterstock)
The researchers noted that maculopapules and urticaria lesions are common and can have many causes, meaning they may not be a helpful helper in diagnosing Covid-19.
Livedo or necrosis
Dermatologists identified a fifth category of conditions, Livedo or necrosis, in 6% of cases.
Livedo occurs when the circulation in the blood vessels of the skin is affected, making it appear red or blue stained with a pattern similar to a network.
Necrosis describes the premature death of skin tissue.
The study said patients showed varying degrees of injury that pointed to “occlusive vascular disease,” where narrowing or blockage of the arteries occurs, limiting blood flow to certain areas of the body.
These conditions were associated with older patients with a severe case of Covid-19, although the manifestations of the disease in this group were variable.
Livedoid and necrotic lesions are relatively rare, but the study authors said it was difficult to know if they were directly caused by Covid-19 or simply indicated complications.
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