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Erythema Multiforme and COVID-19: What Do We Know?
Luigi Bennardo1,2, Steven Paul Nisticò1, Stefano Dastoli1
1Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|August 27, 2021
Summary
Erythema multiforme (EM), a skin rash, rarely occurs with COVID-19, often due to a hypersensitivity reaction. This review suggests three types of EM linked to COVID-19: virus-related juvenile, virus-related older, and drug-induced.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Erythema multiforme (EM) is an acute skin eruption.
- It is commonly linked to infections and occasionally drugs.
- The association between EM and COVID-19 requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the association between erythema multiforme and COVID-19.
- To analyze the characteristics of EM in COVID-19 patients.
- To propose a classification for COVID-19-associated EM.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scimago Scopus, and ISI/Web of Science.
- Original articles, case series, and case reports were selected for review.
- Data from 14 selected articles involving 70 patients were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Erythema multiforme rarely occurs in COVID-19 patients, usually due to hypersensitivity to the virus.
- EM associated with COVID-19 appears in distinct age groups: under 30 or over 55.
- Hydroxychloroquine is an infrequent drug-induced cause of EM in COVID-19 management.
- Clinical characteristics and disease course differ among patient groups.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19-associated EM can be preliminarily classified into three types: virus-related juvenile (<30 years), virus-related older (>55 years), and drug-induced.
- Skin rash occurrence does not correlate with COVID-19 severity or clinical course.
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