Skin rash a new emerging symptom of coronavirus

Skin rash is an emerging symptom of coronavirus which is not yet listed by the World Health Organization. WHO has listed that most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches, nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhea.

Research by some doctors and guidance provided by the American Academy of Dermatology prompts certain skin rashes are emerging as possible COVID-19 symptoms.

These skin rash conditions range from hives to measles-like rashes to a condition resembling frostbites.

Medical Academic Center in Bangkok, Thailand

Medical Academic Center in Bangkok, Thailand has highlighted there is a possibility that patients may initially experience a skin rash and it could be misdiagnosed as some other common disease.

American Academy of Dermatology

American Academy of Dermatology has started a registry to collect information about the dermatological manifestation of the virus.

The AAD encourages participation in its new dermatology #COVID19 registry, which is collecting information about the dermatologic manifestations of the virus. To learn more, visit: https://t.co/TibmgLT9oH pic.twitter.com/8erlHKU6qT
— AADmember (@AADmember) April 17, 2020

Reports from Italy and Thailand

Early reports received from Italy and Thailand suggest that skin rash might be another symptom of coronavirus.

Dr. Shirly Chi reported her patient in Los Angeles suffered painful irritation on her feet. Chi said in northern Italy study showed out of 148 patients, one in five had rash associated with their COVID-19 condition.

According to experts the rash could be caused by the immune system responding to corona virus. They also said it could be due to negative effect of the virus on blood circulation.

Early Reports of Skin Symptoms

Early reports from Italian dermatologists working with COVID-19 patients found that 20% of patients developed skin symptoms in a group of 88 confirmed coronavirus cases.

Almost half of the patients developed a rash on the onset of the disease and little more than hale developed after hospitalization.

The most common manifestations noticed were erythematous rash or patchy red skin. While few developed urticaria, or hives and one developed chickenpox-like blisters.

An early report from Thailand suggested a patient was misdiagnosed with dengue fever, the patient was presented with petechiae or broken blood vessels which is common in dengue.

Other reports suggest COVID-19 patients developing lovedo reticularis, or mottling, which could indicate occlusion of blood vessels near the skin.

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