SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination Cutaneous Manifestations for the Inpatient Dermatologist

Curr Dermatol Rep. 2022;11(4):252-262. doi: 10.1007/s13671-022-00374-5. Epub 2022 Oct 19.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The overall purpose of this review was to characterize and summarize cutaneous eruptions associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as COVID-19 vaccination.

Recent findings: Cutaneous eruptions associated with COVID-19 infection have a reported frequency of 1-20%. Increased COVID-19 disease severity has been associated with morbilliform exanthems, urticaria, retiform purpura, and livedo racemosa. Papulovesicular eruptions were associated with a milder COVID-19 disease course. A range of dermatoses have also been reported with COVID-19 vaccination but have rarely prevented subsequent vaccination.

Summary: Dermatologists should be aware of the associations between COVID-19 disease severity and cutaneous eruptions. Livedo racemosa and retiform purpura are particularly associated with increased disease severity and death. In the setting of COVID-19 vaccination, cutaneous eruptions can largely be managed symptomatically and very rarely do these reactions prevent subsequent vaccination.

Keywords: COVID-19 cutaneous eruptions; COVID-19 disease severity; COVID-19 vaccinations; COVID-19 vaccine reactions.

Publication types

  • Review