Common Dermatological Complications of COVID 19: How Does it Affect the Skin?

Abstract

The novel corona virus disease of COVID-19 is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is primarily a respiratory virus, hence much of the attention has been focused on the respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, it affects other systems such as cutaneous, renal, neurological, and musculoskeletal. In this review, we will discuss the dermatological features and complications of COVID-19: The association of cutaneous signs and symptoms with COVID19 is being studied all over the world, primarily to see whether these dermatoses can aid in the early detection of SARSCoV2 infection. Dermatological manifestations in patients of all ages can range from erythematous rash, urticaria, livedo reticularis and acrocyanosis. Similarly, dermatologists who treat COVID-19 patients with biologics or immunomodulators for inflammatory dermatoses should exercise caution and follow precise guidelines when modifying the doses of these drugs. There are several types of skin findings described in association with COVID-19. This review includes common, rare, and occupational cutaneous exhibitions. During this pandemic, health care worker as well as public must apply strict infection control measures such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for long periods, extensive hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers, which lead to new skin manifestations, examples include contact dermatitis, contact irritant dermatitis, blisters, contact urticaria and secondary infections. It can also lead to exacerbation of many pre-existing dermatoses like eczema, psoriasis, and different variants of dermatitis. This has undoubtedly had significant impacts on compliance with such measures and subsequently time taken off work. It is important to distinguish that the dermatological conditions are not currently a criterion for diagnosis for COVID-19, although that might change as we have more emerging evidence. Whilst most of these dermatological findings are self-resolving focus should be on treating post-COVID-19 skin complications effectively. We think, recognition of these cutaneous features could aid the early diagnosis of COVID-19 and therefore control the epidemic, especially in areas where doing the conventional tests might be scarce or not even available.