Skin Findings in COVID-19

Skin doctors all over the world have actually seen that there are skin findings related to COVID and it is essential to provide to you what we have seen because we understand that if you are aware of this we might be able to slow the spread, maybe even assist to identify COVID19 in the first location.

Let me present to you what we believe we know so far, and this is NOT to terrify you but to educate you. If you discover a NEW skin eruption on yourself or somebody you are in close contact with, this might be your very first or maybe just indication that you have COVID-19, and you may be able to assist limit spread of the infection and a lot more significantly, assistance prevent the death or suffering of a loved one since you acted early.

There are at least 2 rashes we skin doctors have actually recognized to be connected with COVID19

This first rash provides as a livedoid pattern – that being a red or purple-colored, mottled, reticulated, or netlike coloration pattern to the skin-” livedoid”. EXTREMELY IMPORTANTLY though, it needs to be mentioned is that some people can have this type of rash as a regular finding for them, so this rash is not specific for COVID-19 Livedo pattern can also take place in lots of other medical conditions that might or may not be worrisome that are unrelated to COVID19 In the world we live in today, if one were to discover this pattern of pigmentation on their skin for the very first time in their life, this could be substantial and raise the suspicion for COVID-19, particularly if you have a known exposure to COVID or have other influenza like signs.
We believe patients with COVID19 are getting this kind of rash because there might be something awry within their small blood vessels, as this skin pattern can be an indication of small blood vessel occlusion – petechiae, bruises, ulceration, short-term and blanching livedoid/ reticulated eruptions. Certainly if you’ve established a new and worrying rash, especially in the setting of believed or understood COVID19 infection, please call your board certified skin specialist. Remember a lot of us are doing teledermatology so we can help detect numerous skin problem by means of video appointment.

This might possibly be the first and ONLY indication that a person has actually been contaminated with COVID19 Significantly note, if you have this condition it doesn’t validate that you have COVID19 by any methods. There are definitely people that get this that do not have COVID-19 What’s important for you to keep in mind is, If this is a new onset condition for you and you presume you have actually been exposed to a person with COVID infection, this might be an early indication of the illness in you.

We THINK it makes some sense these two skin presentations occur with COVID because we believe COVID is triggering a transient low grade DIC (shared intravascular coagulation) causing microvascular occlusion. This essentially implies we think the virus is causing extensive tiny clotting/ obstructing within our capillary that can have its most harmful impacts within our tiniest vessels where it can result in occlusion of these vessels and resultant death to the tissue that capillary products. Cold might contribute as well which might explain why we see it in our distal extremities (hands/ feet) and even in our superficial vessels of our skin where our body temperature level may be lower.

So what does this all suggest for you? What if you discover a new skin rash like the photos I’ve revealed you? Contact your board certified skin specialist or your medical care supplier;

These skin findings COULD be your first or perhaps even JUST sign that you have COVID19

Link to just recently published short articles on Dermatology & COVID-19: https://www.jaad.org/content/collection-covid-19

If you are a physician and have COVID-19 clients with skin findings, please include them to the AAD Covid Computer system registry: www.aad.org/covidregistry.

MANY Dermatologists have contributed patient photographs and scientific experiences and THEY are the ones who must be thanked!

Randy Jacobs, MD; Sarita Nori, MD; Ivienson Manalo, MD; Jennifer Martin, MD; Molly Smith, MD; Michelle Tarbox, MD; Carlos Ricotti, MD; Dana Correale, MD; Samantha Carter, MD; Chelsea Houthoofd, MD; Karen McGinnis, MD; Jennifer Nash, MD; Lisa Donofrio, MD; Michael Contreras, MD; Tina Kinsley, MD; Mariana Atanasovski, MD; Katherine Nolan, MD; Curtis Asbury, MD; Sarika Snell, MD.

#drpimplepopper #stayhome.