There have been many studies that show how widespread the impact of COVID-19 on the health of the body is. The reason, not only affects the lungs, this respiratory infection can also cause symptoms related to skin problems. What is the relationship between skin problems and COVID-19? What are the symptoms to watch out for? Check out his review below.
Skin problems and COVID-19, what's the connection?
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, everyone begins to understand the dangers of this disease which can affect organs other than the lungs. One of them is skin.
Many patients report symptoms related to skin problems, from rashes to hives to hair loss.
The symptoms of this skin problem usually appear after a person is infected with the virus. Meanwhile, some patients develop symptoms only after the disease progresses. However, generally these skin problems will improve on their own.
Experts are starting to find out what the relationship between COVID-19 and skin problems is, what the mechanism is, whether hormones are involved, or the appearance of skin problems as an immune reaction.
A study from The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine tries to answer this phenomenon. From these studies, it is suspected that skin problems are a complementary response, which causes damage to blood vessels.
In addition, this complementary response is more common in the elderly. This is why the symptoms of COVID-19 are more severe in older people.
Various signs and symptoms of skin problems due to COVID-19
The following are some of the symptoms of skin disorders associated with COVID-19 infection.
1. COVID toe
COVID toe is a new term that refers to swelling of the toes or hands due to COVID-19 infection. This condition is similar to chilblains, inflammation of small blood vessels due to exposure to cold air.
This swelling is followed by a change in the color of the skin, such as redness or purplish. This makes the toes and hands look like bruises.
2. Flat red spots or patches on the skin
Besides COVID toes, other skin problems that can arise due to this coronavirus infection are spots on the skin.
The spots are usually red and small in size, and are evenly distributed on the skin. In addition, the shape tends to be flush with the skin, not in the form of bumps or lumps.
In the medical world, this condition is called a maculopapular eruption. According to a study from the British Journal of Dermatology, this maculopapular eruption was reported to occur in about 47% of the 375 COVID-19 patients.
3. Urticaria (hives)
You may be familiar with hives, which usually appear as an allergic reaction. Apparently, this skin problem which has another name urticaria is also one of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Urticaria or hives is an inflammatory reaction under the skin that causes prominent red patches and is accompanied by itching.
These red patches vary in size and are spread over one area of the body's skin. Swelling on the skin will disappear within a few minutes to hours, but it can reappear in other areas of the skin.
The appearance of urticaria is usually associated with more severe symptoms of COVID-19.
4. Skin rash
The next sign and symptom of skin problems due to COVID-19 is a skin rash. The appearance of this rash is slightly different because it is thought to be related to the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, also known as MIS-C.
This syndrome triggers inflammation of the heart and blood vessels so that blood can clot and cause symptoms of shock.
Complications of COVID-19 in children are very rare. MIS-C usually appears in children 3 months after they recover from COVID-19.
In addition to the rash due to MIS-C, some patients also reported having a rash or bruising resembling a fishing net motif. This condition is known as livedo.
Livedo is thought to have arisen due to blockages in blood vessels as the body's response to viral infections.
5. Bumps or bumps filled with fluid
The next skin problem related to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is itchiness, or bumps that usually contain fluid.
This limp, also known as a vesicular eruption, is usually found on the skin of the hand. Its appearance is more common in the early stages of the disease.
This condition is more commonly found in adult COVID-19 patients towards the elderly. The rash usually lasts about 10 days, and its appearance is associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms.
6. Hair loss
Scalp problems and hair loss are also quite common among patients with severe illnesses, including COVID-19. Usually, this reaction occurs when the body is trying to deal with stress from within.
However, as long as the iron levels of COVID-19 patients in the body remain normal, hair growth will return to normal.
In addition, severe symptoms of COVID-19 were found in male patients with baldness problems. A study from the American Academy of Dermatology showed that as many as 79% of COVID-19 patients who were rushed to the hospital were men with baldness problems.
The increase in the hormone dihydrotestosterone in men with baldness is thought to increase levels of ACE2 receptors in the body. The greater the level of these receptors, the easier the virus will enter.
If you have concerns about the symptoms of skin problems, you can try to consult a doctor to find out the cause.
However, if the skin problem is accompanied by other COVID-19 symptoms, you can do a swab test and self-isolation to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.