Cutaneous Manifestations Associated with COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Maria Relvas Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2639-7494
  • Joana Calvão Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1161-269X
  • Raquel Oliveira Serviço de Medicina Interna. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra.
  • José Carlos Cardoso Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7113-7061
  • Margarida Gonçalo Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra. Departamento de Dermatologia. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Coimbra. Coimbra. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6842-1360

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.14574

Keywords:

Coronavirus Infections, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Skin Manifestations

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that has spread rapidly throughout the world. This has resulted in an urgent need to obtain information regarding its pathogenesis, diagnosis and clinical manifestations. More specifically, skin manifestations, seldom reported initially, have been increasingly described.
Material and Methods: We performed a literature search in the PubMed database, regarding cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19. This article describes the clinical and histological findings of the main skin lesions observed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Discussion: Cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 have been described in multiple retrospective and prospective studies, case series and case reports. The reported incidence reached 20.4%. Although there was substantial heterogeneity in terms of clinical patterns, the main ones include: erythematous/maculopapular, urticarial, papulovesicular, and purpuric/petechial eruptions, chilblain-like lesions and livedoid/acro-ischemic lesions. In the vast majority, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are not fully understood, although histopathological findings and biomolecular studies can add relevant data.
Conclusion: The recognition of cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19 is of utmost importance. They may help establishing an early diagnosis, namely in oligosymptomatic patients or when confirmatory tests are impossible to perform. Moreover, chilblain-like lesions and acro-ischemia, also seem to play an important role in terms of prognosis.

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Published

2021-02-01

How to Cite

1.
Relvas M, Calvão J, Oliveira R, Cardoso JC, Gonçalo M. Cutaneous Manifestations Associated with COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2021 Feb. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];34(2):128-36. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/14574

Issue

Section

Review Articles