Is COVID-19 Expanding its Symptom List? The Case of Acute Acro-ischemia and Skin Rash

Teh Exodus Akwa,Abdul A Jalloh

doi:10.29333/jcei/10774

Abstract

As the spread of SARS-CoV2 continues to increase globally, newer information gets reported every day. We are learning more and more about the presentation, symptoms and treatment of this infection. Earlier cardinal symptoms of COVID-19 had been fever, cough, and shortness of breath. New findings in its symptoms are now being reported some of which includes neurological symptoms, dizziness and diarrhoea. Of recent skin manifestations due to COVID-19 have drawn the attention of medical experts. The presence of a livedoid pattern (red mottled-net like coloration) rash and a rare skin lesion at the extremities also known as acro-ischemia in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or patients presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 is now on a surge. Though the correlation between acute acro-ischemia, skin rash and COVID-19 is yet to be fully documented these dermatological and clinical observations in patients might just be another possible key indicator for the presence of the COVID-19 disease.

Highlights

Months after COVID-19 appeared on the world stage the number of COVID-19 positive cases keep increasing globally and newer reports about its symptoms are reported on a regular basis
The presence of a livedoid pattern rash and a rare skin lesion at the extremities known as acroischemia in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or patients presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 is on a surge
A prominent feature appearing amongst COVID-19 cases or patients presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 is the development of a foot lesions and skin rashes

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Months after COVID-19 appeared on the world stage the number of COVID-19 positive cases keep increasing globally and newer reports about its symptoms are reported on a regular basis. A prominent feature appearing amongst COVID-19 cases or patients presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 is the development of a foot lesions and skin rashes. This poses a challenge to dermatologists due to limited literature about these manifestations. The lesions though limited to the fingers and toes have been shown to affect the plantar region Other of such cases have been reported in Madrid- Spain with the patients testing positive for nasopharyngeal swab for severe SARS‐CoV‐2 [7]. Similar dermatological manifestations were reported in a 47‐year‐old woman and a 67‐year‐old male from Atlanta, GA, USA [8]

Findings

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION