Covid: Skin rashes are ONLY symptom for 21% of patients, says KCL study

Covid: Skin rashes are ONLY symptom for 21% of patients, says KCL study

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From high fever to dry cough, the coronavirus is known to be associated with a number of unpleasant symptoms.

Now, new data shows that for one in five people who contract Covid-19, the only symptom is a rash.

In another 17 percent of cases, a rash is the first symptom before others develop later.

Rashes manifest in a variety of ways, including as hives or protruding lumps. They have been recorded throughout the body.

The data comes from the ZOE symptom tracking app, run by researchers at King’s College London (KCL), which has been operating Covid during the pandemic.

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For one in five people who contract Covid-19, the only symptom is a rash, new data show. In the photo, a case of 'Covid digits'

For one in five people who get Covid-19, the only symptom is a rash, new data show. In the photo, a case of ‘Covid digits’

More than 400 people sent images, which have now been published in an online database called Covid skin signals. The extent of skin rashes is surprising, manifesting in hives (photo) or protruding lumps and seen throughout the body

More than 400 people sent images, which have now been published in an online database called Covid skin signals. The extent of skin rashes is surprising, manifesting in hives (photo) or protruding lumps and seen throughout the body

The ZOE data revealed that people who tested positive for Covid were 67 percent more likely to develop a rash than someone who was not infected.

Another independent study was done on 11,544 people, who were also asked to provide pictures of their skin rashes.

‘Surprisingly, among respondents to the independent online survey, we found that one percent of positive SARS – CoV – 2 – cases reported skin rashes as the first presentation, and 21 percent as the only clinical sign of COVID – 19,’ researchers write.

The study was published in the British Journal of Dermatology and more than 400 people submitted images, which have now been published in an online database called Covid skin signs.

The images are categorized based on the type of rash they are in and include ‘digits covid’, ‘purpuric’, ‘oral’ and ‘uticarial’.

Rashes are manifested in several ways, including hives or lumps. They have been recorded throughout the body.

“Skin rashes cluster with other symptoms of COVID-19, are predictive of a positive smear test and occur in a significant number of cases, either alone or before other classic symptoms,” wrote the researchers.

The different types of Covid-related rashes

  • COVID digits – A rash on the skin that affects the extremities, that is, fingers and toes. Skin changes are known as chilblains. This rash appears to be more common in younger people. The rash appears as reddish and purplish bumps on the fingers or toes and can affect many digits.
  • Exposed neck and thorax eczema – A rash that appears on the neck or chest in places exposed to sunlight. It is usually quite pink and itches a lot. It can appear at any time during or after infection and usually lasts a long time.
  • Oral – A rash on the skin that affects the lips can make them sore and can become dry and scaly during recovery. There may also be pain inside the mouth.
  • Papular and Vesicular – Appears as red and bumpy areas that can occur anywhere on the body. It can resemble intense and prickly heat. In some cases, they are just small bumps all over the skin and they often itch a lot. The rash can also last well after the person has recovered from the infection
  • Pink pityriasis – An acute rash recognized by dermatologists. It is believed to be of viral origin, although it has never been proven. It usually affects young individuals. More reports of this pattern during the pandemic have been reported, which first have a large initial “herald” patch, followed a few days later by several smaller patches on the trunk or proximal limbs. It can last for several months before cleaning.
  • Purpuric – Easily recognizable, as it presents with several deep red or purple spots. It can cause bruise-like stains. The blemishes or blemishes are caused by damage to the tiny superficial blood vessels with bleeding from the skin.
  • Urticarial – Present at the very beginning of the infection, but it can also last for a long time afterwards, when the affected person is no longer contagious. The rash appears as a sudden hives or papule on the skin that appears and disappears quickly over hours and usually with intense itching. It can involve any part of the body. If it affects the face, it can cause swelling of the lips and eyelids. It is usually treated with antihistamines.
  • Viral Rash – A common pattern in viral infections with a symmetrical rash that comprises several reddish spots or bumps on the body. It is usually accompanied by symptoms of a viral illness, such as fever, cough and malaise. Patients with suspected COVID may exhibit this pattern, but may have no other symptoms.
In the photo, a pupuric rash that was seen on the leg of a patient from Covid. A pupuric rash looks like many small bloodstains on the skin and is caused by leaking blood vessels

In the photo, a pupuric rash that was seen on the leg of a patient from Covid. A pupuric rash looks like many small bloodstains on the skin and is caused by leaking blood vessels

This individual's rash was categorized as pitirias rosea, a type of rash that begins as a single red, scaly area that spreads across the trunk and upper limbs

This individual’s rash was categorized as pitirias rosea, a type of rash that begins as a single red, scaly area that spreads across the trunk and upper limbs

Oral rashes have also been reported by some of the more than 400 people who have sent images of their Covid-related rashes to Covidskinsigns.com

Oral rashes have also been reported by some of the more than 400 people who have sent images of their Covid-related rashes to Covidskinsigns.com

Almost HALF of Covid patients experience swelling of the salivary glands

From high fever to loss of smell, Covid-19 is associated with a number of unpleasant symptoms.

Now, a new study has warned that coronavirus infection can also lead to swelling of the salivary glands in the mouth.

The researchers studied 122 patients with Covid-19 in Italy who contracted the virus and were admitted to the hospital between July 23 and September 7, 2020.

Follow-up visits for more than three months found that more than eight out of ten patients had some form of facial or oral problem as a result of the infection.

The most common was the swelling of the salivary glands, known as ectasia, which affected 43 percent of patients. The salivary glands produce spit to aid in chewing and swallowing.

‘Recognition of skin rashes is important in identifying new and previous cases of Covid-19.’

Coronavirus attacks several body systems and therefore there are a number of symptoms of Covid-19.

But only the symptoms of the “classic triad” of dry cough, fever and loss of smell or taste are currently recognized by the NHS.

Loss of smell and taste was officially recognized as a symptom of Covid on May 18, 2020.

In June, KCL academics called for rashes to be considered Covid’s fourth official symptom.

Researchers at KCL recently again called on policymakers to extend the set of recognized symptoms.

They said that extending the list of symptoms to include fatigue, sore throat, headache and diarrhea would allow ‘millions’ of unconfirmed cases to be detected.

Current testing and tracking rules mean that swabs are reserved only for people with a fever, continuous cough or loss of smell or taste.

Professor Tim Spector, chief scientist of the Zoe app, an epidemiologist at King’s College London and co-author of the most recent rash-related study, said in February: anosmia misses a significant proportion of positive cases.

“We identified anosmia as a symptom in May and our work led the government to include it on the list; now it’s clear that we need to add more.

“By inviting all users who register any new symptoms to take a test, we confirm that there are many other symptoms from Covid.”

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