Covid: Rashes are just a symptom for 21% of patients, according to KCL study

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

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

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

Rashes show up in a variety of ways, including hives or raised bumps. They were recorded all over the body.

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

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

More than 400 people submitted the images, which have now been posted to an online database called Covid Skin Signs. The range of rashes is amazing, manifesting as hives (pictured) or raised bumps and seen all over the body

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

Another independent study was done on 11,544 people who were asked to provide photos of their rashes as well.

“ Strikingly, among respondents to the independent online survey, we found that one percent of positive cases for SARS – CoV – 2 – 2 reported rash as their first presentation, and 21 percent as the only clinical sign of COVID – 19, ” write the researchers.

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 according to the type of rash they are, and include “Covid”, “purpuric”, “oral” and “uticarial” numbers.

Rashes show up in a variety of ways, including hives or raised bumps. They were recorded all over the body.

“ Rashes cluster with other symptoms of COVID-19, are predictive of a positive swab test, and occur in a significant number of cases, either on their own or before other classic symptoms, ” write the researchers.

The different types of rashes linked to Covid

COVID figures – A rash that affects the extremities, namely the fingers and toes. Skin changes are known as frostbite. This rash seems 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 chest eczema – A rash that appears on the neck or chest at sites exposed to the sun. It is usually quite pink and very itchy. It can appear any time during or after infection and usually lasts a long time.
Oral – A rash that affects the lips can make them sore and become dry and scaly as they heal. Pain inside the mouth can also occur.
Papular and vesicular – It appears as red, bumpy areas that can appear anywhere on the body. It may sound like prickly bad heat. In some cases, these are just tiny bumps all over the skin and are usually quite itchy. The rash may also last long after the person has recovered from the infection.
Pityriasis Rosea – An acute rash recognized by dermatologists. It is believed to be of viral origin, although never proven. It generally affects young individuals. Other reports of this pattern during the pandemic have been reported, which first present with an initial large “herald” patch, followed a few days later by multiple smaller patches on the torso or proximal limbs. It can take several months before clearing.
Purpuric – Easily recognizable because it has multiple dark red or purplish spots. This can cause bruising-like spots. Spots or plaques are caused by damage in the tiny superficial blood vessels with bleeding in the skin.
Urticaria – Present quite early in the infection but can also last a long time later when the person is no longer contagious. The rash appears as a sudden hives or papules on the skin that come and go quite quickly over the hours and are usually intensely itchy. 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 exanthema – A common pattern in viral infections with a symmetrical rash comprising many 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 have this pattern, but may not have any other symptoms.

Pictured is a pupuric rash that was seen on the lower leg of a Covid patient. A pupuric rash looks like many small spots of blood on the skin and is caused by leaking blood vessels

This individual’s rash has been classified as pityrias rosea, a type of rash that begins with a single, red, scaly area that spreads to the torso and upper limbs.

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

Almost half of Covid patients have swollen salivary glands

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

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

Researchers studied 122 Covid-19 patients in Italy who caught the virus and were hospitalized between July 23 and September 7, 2020.

Three-month follow-up appointments revealed that more than eight in ten patients had some form of facial or mouth problem as a result of the infection.

The most common were swollen salivary glands, called ectasias, which affected 43% of patients. The salivary glands cough up to help chew and swallow.

“ Recognizing rashes is important to identify new and previous cases of Covid-19. ”

The coronavirus attacks multiple bodily systems and therefore there are a multitude of symptoms of Covid-19.

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

The 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 the fourth official symptom of Covid.

KCL researchers recently called again on policymakers to expand the recognized symptom set.

They said expanding the list of symptoms to include fatigue, sore throats, headaches and diarrhea would detect “millions” of unconfirmed cases.

Current testing and tracing rules mean that samples are only used for people with a fever, continuous cough or loss of smell or taste.

Professor Tim Spector, principal scientist of the Zoe app, epidemiologist at King’s College London and co-author of the latest rash study, said in February: “ We have known from the start that focusing only on the Classic triad tests of cough, fever, and anosmia lack a significant proportion of positive cases.

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

“ By inviting all users who register new symptoms to take a test, we have confirmed that there are many more symptoms of Covid. ”

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