Coronavirus symptoms: How to locate COVID-19 on your skin?
How to locate COVID-19 on your skin?
Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the list of COVID-19 symptoms has only increased and expanded. With the new mutations and long term implications of the virus, it has become all the more important to detect the early as well as unusual signs of COVID. That said, research has claimed yet another way to locate coronavirus. According to a recent UK study, four kinds of skin changes can take place if you have COVID.
Skin problems associated with COVID-19, according to study
As per UK's National Health Services' reports, cough, high temperature and loss of smell and taste are three of the most common signs of COVID-19.
However, a recent study found that 17% of COVID-19 patients experienced skin rashes as their first symptom, whereas for 21% of the patients rashes were their only symptom. That said, as per the research, there are four types of skin problems associated with COVID.
Urticaria or hives
Urticaria or hives are itchy skin rashes that are usually red, pink, or flesh-colored. In most cases, hives are caused due to allergic reactions. But according to a study involving four hospitals in China and Italy, 26% of COVID-19 patients have complained of developing hives.
Chilblains
Characterized by painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin, chilblains have been commonly reported in adolescents and young adults with no or only mild symptoms of COVID-19.
Research has claimed 60 percent of COVID patients suffer from this skin lesion.
Skin lesions/maculopapular rash
In a study conducted in Spain, out of 375 patients, 47% of patients with COVID-related skin changes had maculopapular rash. It is a form of skin lesion that is distinguished by its flat and raised areas of discolored skin.
Blisters or vesicular lesions
An area of skin covered by a raised, fluid-filled bubble is called a blister or a vesicular lesion.
One of the least common skin conditions found in COVID patients, 9% of COVID patients involved in a Spanish study reported symptoms of such skin problems.
While these skin rashes, discoloration and blisters were identified in many of the cases, it must not be considered one of the determining factors of COVID-19.