Community-based study links skin rashes to COVID-19

Previous studies conducted in hospitals reported that COVID-19 patients presented with unusual skin rashes. This study, which is published in the


British Journal of Dermatology


, analyzed information provided by 336,847 individuals in the community who used the COVID Symptom Study app.

Skin rashes were more common in adults with a positive COVID-19 test result than in those who tested negative. Strikingly, among respondents of an online survey, 17% of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases reported skin rashes as the first presentation, and 21% as the only COVID-19 clinical sign.

Together with the British Association of Dermatologists, the study’s investigators compiled a

catalogue

of images of the most common skin manifestations of COVID-19 from 400 individuals.

“Cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 are sometimes the first or even the only sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said senior author Mario Falchi, PhD, of King’s College London. “Recognition of such early signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may enable identification of cases missed when relying only on the core symptoms, allowing preventive measures to be put in place to minimise further spreading of the infection.”

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