Cutaneous findings in hospitalized and critically ill patients with COVID-19: A case series of 15 patients

The Pandemic and Your Skin—Direct and Indirect Impact of COVID-19

Apart from well-known respiratory symptoms, less frequent symptoms also appear as a direct result of COVID-19 infection, or as indirect effects of the recommended quarantine and related lifestyle changes. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human skin is predominantly focused on in this article. Cutaneous manifestations, including redness, chilblain-like symptoms (COVID toes), hives or urticaria rash, water blisters, and fishing net-like red-blue patterns on the skin, may appear as accompanying or as systemic COVID-19 symptoms with potential lesions at different skin sites. These symptoms were related to skin phototypes and vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic origin patients are found to be more sensitive to COVID-19 infection than Caucasians because of vitamin D deficiency. The region of population with lighter skin phototypes have a significantly higher chance to develop cutaneous manifestations than population with dark skin. In addition, adverse effects, such as skin barrier damage and irritation, may also occur due to extensive personal protective equipment usage (e.g., masks, protective suits, and a few others) and predominately alcohol-based sanitizers. This manuscript covers various aspects of COVID-19 and its clinical skin manifestations.

Prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in COVID-19: A meta-analysis

The global epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) endangers more and more people. Many studies on cutaneous manifestations related to COVID-19 have emerged, but their prevalence has varied widely. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis estimating the prevalence of skin manifestations in COVID-19. Four databases PubMed, Web of Science, CBM, and CNKI were searched, and the results were screened by two reviewers. A random-effects model was used to evaluate the overall prevalence. Heterogeneity was assessed by I² . Further subgroup analyses were conducted by region, sample size, sex, age, and severity of COVID-19. A funnel plot and Egger's test were performed to assess publication bias. The pooled prevalence of cutaneous manifestation of 61 089 patients in 33 studies was 5.6% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.040-0.076, I²  = 98.3%). Severity of COVID-19 was probably the source of heterogeneity. Studies with sample size <200 report higher prevalence estimates (10.2%). The prevalence of detailed types was as follows: maculopapular rash 2%, livedoid lesions 1.4%, petechial lesions 1.1%, urticaria 0.8%, pernio-like lesions 0.5%, vesicular lesions 0.3%. Petechial lesions and livedoid lesions contain a higher proportion of severe patients than other skin manifestations. The prevalence rates of pernio-like lesions, urticaria and petechial lesions vary greatly in different regions.

Cutaneous Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, affecting people worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 infection is a multisystem disease with potential for detrimental effects on various systemic organs. It affects people of all ages with varying degrees of disease severity. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection commonly present with dry cough, fever, and fatigue. A clinical spectrum of skin findings secondary to SARS-CoV-2 has also been reported. The most common cutaneous patterns associated with COVID-19 are chilblain-like lesions (CBLL), maculopapular lesions, urticarial lesions, vesicular lesions, and livedoid lesions. Other skin findings secondary to SARS-COV-2 infection are erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions and skin findings associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and rarely multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A). Physician awareness of skin manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection can help with early identification and treatment. This narrative review provides an update of various skin manifestations reported with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including clinical presentation, proposed pathogenesis, histopathology, prognosis, and treatment options.

COVID-19 Skin Manifestations in Skin of Colour

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) skin manifestations have been increasingly reported in medical literature. Recent discussions have identified a lack of images of skin of color (SOC) patients with COVID-19 related skin findings despite people with skin of color being disproportionately affected with the disease. There have been calls to prioritize the identification of COVID-19 skin manifestations in patients with SOC and disseminate these findings. The objective of this article is to review the existing literature on COVID-19 skin manifestations and, where possible, discuss how they may present differently in patients with SOC. Further research is needed to allow primary care physicians and dermatologists to be aware of and easily identify patients with cutaneous findings that may be secondary to COVID-19. Patients presenting with idiopathic dermatologic manifestations should be considered for COVID-19 testing and follow public health guidelines for self-isolation.

Eruptions and related clinical course among 296 hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19

Background

Limited information exists on mucocutaneous disease and its relation to course of COVID-19.

Objective

To estimate prevalence of mucocutaneous findings, characterize morphologic patterns, and describe relationship to course in hospitalized adults with COVID-19.

Methods

Prospective cohort study at 2 tertiary hospitals (Northwell Health) between May 11, 2020 and June 15, 2020.

Results

Among 296 hospitalized adults with COVID-19, 35 (11.8%) had at least 1 disease-related eruption. Patterns included ulcer (13/35, 37.1%), purpura (9/35, 25.7%), necrosis (5/35, 14.3%), nonspecific erythema (4/35, 11.4%), morbilliform eruption (4/35, 11.4%), pernio-like lesions (4/35, 11.4%), and vesicles (1/35, 2.9%). Patterns also showed anatomic site specificity. A greater proportion of patients with mucocutaneous findings used mechanical ventilation (61% vs 30%), used vasopressors (77% vs 33%), initiated dialysis (31% vs 9%), had thrombosis (17% vs 11%), and had in-hospital mortality (34% vs 12%) compared with those without mucocutaneous findings. Patients with mucocutaneous disease were more likely to use mechanical ventilation (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-2.86); P < .001). Differences for other outcomes were attenuated after covariate adjustment and did not reach statistical significance.

Limitations

Skin biopsies were not performed.

Conclusions

Distinct mucocutaneous patterns were identified in hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Mucocutaneous disease may be linked to more severe clinical course.