Oral Steroid Responsive Allergic Eruption Following COVID-19 Vaccination

Cutaneous reactions following immunization, while rare, are a known adverse effect of many vaccinations. The precise etiology of such dermatologic manifestations and their long-term effects are largely unknown. This case study describes a 37-year-old female patient who initially presented with an edematous, pruritic facial rash that developed one day after vaccination against COVID-19, progressively worsened, and proved resistant to various forms of treatment. Following extensive workup, patch testing revealed a previously non-existent allergy to gold sodium thiosulfate. The use of metals, such as gold, in vaccine manufacturing and biotechnology may suggest the possibility of a relationship between injections and immunologic sensitization. Patch testing may be a useful adjunct in evaluating persistent cutaneous reactions following vaccination.