Cutaneous manifestations of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A brief review

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Keyun Tang1,2, Yuanzhuo Wang1,2, Hanlin Zhang1,2

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.

Dermatologic Therapy
|May 9, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) are diverse, including rashes, lesions, and other dermatological symptoms. This review analyzes 14 studies on COVID-19 skin conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The global spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) has prompted investigation into its varied clinical presentations.
  • Cutaneous manifestations represent a notable, though often heterogeneous, aspect of COVID-19 infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and summarize the evidence on skin manifestations associated with COVID-19.
  • To characterize the types, distribution, and clinical features of dermatological symptoms reported in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the PubMed database using keywords related to COVID-19 and dermatological conditions.
  • Inclusion criteria focused on studies published from 2019 onwards, involving confirmed COVID-19 cases with documented skin findings.
  • 14 studies comprising 228 patients with COVID-19 and cutaneous manifestations were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 60 patients exhibited various skin rashes, with ages ranging from 8 to 84 years.
  • Common eruptions included erythematous, urticarial, and chickenpox-like (varicelliform) rashes, predominantly on the trunk.
  • Less common findings involved petechiae, livedo reticularis, oral herpes simplex virus reactivation, and perniosis-like lesions.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 presents with a wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations, requiring dermatological attention.
  • Understanding these skin signs is crucial for early recognition, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and clinical significance of COVID-19-associated dermatoses.

Keywords:
COVID-19coronaviruscutaneous manifestationsreviewskin

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