Background Descriptions of cutaneous findings associated with COVID-19 have not been consistently accompanied by histopathology or confirmatory testing for SARS-CoV-2. Objective To describe and classify the cutaneous findings with supporting histopathology of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients.Methods We included consecutive inpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for whom a dermatology consult was requested. A skin biopsy was performed in all cases. Skin findings were classified as being compatible with a cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19 or as representing a distinct clinical entity.Results Twenty-eight patients were studied in whom thirty-one dermatologic diagnoses were made. Twenty-two of the dermatoses were compatible with a cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19; nine entities were not associated with infection by SARS-CoV-2. The most common COVID-19-associated pattern was an exanthematous presentation. In four patients, a new pattern was observed, characterized by discrete papules with varied histopathological findings including a case of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis. No cases of pernio-like lesions were identified. Skin findings not associated with COVID-19 represented 29% of diagnoses and included Malassezia folliculitis, tinea, miliaria and contact dermatitis.Limitations There is no gold-standard test to distinguish between viral exanthems and drug reactions.Conclusion A histopathological study is critical before attributing skin findings to a manifestation of COVID-19.
Because several nail disorders share similar clinical features, their diagnosis and management can be challenging to clinicians. The physical examination may disclose localized abnormalities or point to an underlying systemic disease, requiring additional workup. Furthermore, cosmetic distress and nail-related symptoms (e.g., tingling, stinging, numbness, and pain) are common factors that influence the patient's search for medical assistance. Nail pain (i.e., onychalgia) can accompany both localized and systemic pathology. Onychalgia can be acute or chronic according to the time of evolution; patients may describe it as intermittent or constant, and as a throbbing, burning, sharp, or shooting sensation denoting the nature of the pain. It may be exacerbated by colder temperatures, touch, and increased activity (e.g., manipulating objects, walking). We present four main groups of conditions that might cause nail pain: nail tumors, nail deformities, inflammatory or infectious diseases, and external or traumatic agents. Our article includes an overview of the clinical features, as well as diagnosis and management pearls for each entity. Physicians (dermatologists and nondermatologists) should be aware that abnormalities of the ungual and subungual space are not exclusive of dermatological disorders but may also be present in noncutaneous contexts.
Figure 1 In this graphic, patients with cutaneous manifestations (blue dots) and without cutaneous manifestations (green dots) are plotted according to their prognosis using clinical and biochemical variables. The red box represents patients with a P/F ratio >200 and CRP <11 mg/dL. The grey box represents patients with a P/F ratio >200 and CRP >11 mg/dL. The black box represents patients with a P/F ratio <200 and CRP >11 mg/dL.
Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is an unusual complication that occurs secondary to trigeminal nerve injury. The insult to the nerve can lead to anesthesia, hypoesthesia, and paresthesias producing sensations such as burning or itching. The combination of both leads to repeated self-inflicted skin trauma in an attempt to alleviate these sensations, eventually leading to ulceration of the skin. We report a case of a 71year-old male patient with a scalp ulcer who had an episode of herpes zoster ophthalmicus four months prior to presentation.
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