Skin Diseases and Conditions

Skin is the largest organ in the body, and it has many crucial functions. It protects us against physical injuries and the harmful effects of radiation. It seals in moisture to prevent us from becoming dehydrated. And we experience different sensations through our skin. Skin conditions and diseases are usually a sign of something wrong internally. But did you know that certain skin conditions appear as early signs of a COVID-19 infection or present as a long-term effect of the illness?

Why This Happens

Inflammatory skin conditions and diseases often result from a breakdown in the body’s immune responses. As a result, the skin’s barriers break down. We know that the viral infection that causes COVID-19 affects many systems and organs. Thus, we believe that the infection causes inflammation that indirectly affects the body’s skin cells and blood vessels.

Skin Rashes

Rashes are one of the skin conditions that occur as a symptom of COVID-19. They often occur with other symptoms, like fever, cough, diarrhea, and fatigue. While these rashes can occur at any stage of an infection, most people don’t notice until after symptoms manifest. COVID-related rashes resolve within days with medication. But without treatment, they persist and cause hyperpigmentation, skin lesions, hives, and welts on the stomach and legs. The rashes can also extend to the face, arms, hands, and soles of the feet.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly, itchy, and dry patches on the body. Healthcare providers prescribe medications to suppress the body’s immune responses. Some believe that this form of treatment increases the risk of a COVID-19 infection and worse outcomes. However, there is conflicting evidence on this. In addition to being a potential risk factor, this skin condition can also appear as a long-term effect of COVID-19.

Atopic Dermatitis

Another skin condition that we see as a long-term effect or symptom of COVID-19 is atopic dermatitis or eczema. Eczema causes chronic itching and patches, blisters, and lesions that reappear on the body. We notice this skin condition mostly in healthcare workers due to frequent hand washing, glove-wearing, and stress. Healthcare providers consider that occupational dermatitis. 

COVID-Toes

COVID-toes is a skin condition that appears to be related to the other COVID-19-related skin disorders. There is a lot that we don’t know about this condition. Namely the exact relationship it has with the coronavirus. Healthcare providers notice it in some children with mild symptoms or no COVID symptoms. But this condition also occurs in otherwise healthy children, adolescents, and young adults. COVID-19 happens when the blood vessels are inflamed. The inflammation causes purple and pink-colored lesions on the hands and feet.