Multifarous dermatological manifestations at state covid hospital, nellore in covid-19 patients - A prospective observational study

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the ongoing pandemic has infected and affected people in a very short span of time . The Skin being the window of several diseases , diverse cutaneous findings has been observed in patients with COVID-19 and their importance is yet to be known. Objective: our study aims to know the various cutaneous presentations in patients with COVID-19 , their possible underlying mechanism behind. Methods: An prospective observational study was done in confirmed covid 19 patients of both out patient and inpatients at ACSR Medical College , Nellore during the peroid of October 2020 to July 2021. All patients have gone thorough clinical examination and has been observed for various cutaneous manifestations. Results: Total of 200 patients were included in the study with males being 117 and females being 83 . The number of patients admitted(IPD) included were 107 and outpatient(OPD) were 93. The following cutaneous manifestations that were observed in admitted patients were oral candiasis , tinea corporis et cruris , apthous ulcers , miliria, mucormycosis , purpura, herpes zoster , petechiae, psoriasis vulgaris, livedo reticularis . Similarly the cutaneous findings in outpatient were acute urticaria , telogen effluvium , Maculopapular rash , acneform eruptions, maskne . fixed drug eruption. Limitation: As this is a hospital based study and may not reflect the pattern of cutaneous manifestations in the community and no proper histopathological correlation due to pandemic. Conclusion: COVID-19 virus through different mechanisms and by several factors results in various dermatological manifestations , in addition to other systemic and pulmonary manifestations in covid patients.