Patient-Reported Association Between COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination and Onset of Allergic Contact Dermatitis.

Abstract

Background: Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, our clinic has encountered numerous patients who report that either COVID-19 vaccination or infection was the precipitating event for their development of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Up to this time, there is no formal investigation regarding COVID-19 vaccination or infection causing ACD. However, there have been several registry-based case series of associated dermatoses after COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Objective: This study aimed to describe patient-reported associations between COVID-19 infection or vaccination and onset of ACD. Methods: A single-center retrospective noncomparative chart review of 1073 patients patch tested at the Park Nicollet Contact Dermatitis Clinic (Minneapolis, MN) from March 1, 2020, to March 1, 2022, was performed. Results: Of 1073 patients included in our study, 5 patients (0.47%) reported ACD symptom onset after COVID-19 infection and 12 patients (1.11%) reported onset after COVID-19 vaccination. Rates of clinical relevance were not significantly different than the general population for those who attributed ACD to COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature investigating the potential association between COVID-19 vaccination or infection and the development of ACD through extensive retrospective chart review.