”COVID” Terminology in Dermatology

Abstract

Ever since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, mucocutaneous manifestations started being noticed and are still being documented. Many of these have been described with the prefix “COVID” and may occur due to the infection (e.g., COVID rash), use of personal protective equipment in healthcare workers (e.g., COVID hand dermatitis) or extensive use of novel vaccines (e.g., COVID arm). This article attempts to summarize such entities with clinical relevance to dermatologists and physicians in general and to create awareness about this fast-evolving COVID lexicon.

The most common skin symptoms in young adults and adults related to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection

“…A raised erythematous line over the distal end of the lunula is described [ 104 , 108 ]. This symptom usually occurs 2–3 weeks after the SARS-CoV infection and disappears spontaneously within 2–3 months [ 106 , 108 , 109 ]. The red crescent symptom was also reported two days after the onset of symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 107 ].…”

“…The red crescent symptom was also reported two days after the onset of symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 107 ]. Most likely, this symptom occurs as a result of an immune reaction resulting from COVID-19 directed at the capillaries of the nail bed [ 105 , 106 , 109 ]. One study conducted on 55 patients indicated that the red crescent symptom occurred in 32.5% of patients (fingernails) and in 2.3% of patients (toe nails) [ 104 ].…”

“…These lines may appear about a month after the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, as in the case of a 68-year-old patient from Japan and a 41-year-old woman from the United States [ 113 , 114 ]. These changes may also occur 2–3 months after infection, and their persistence depends on the length of the changes, usually lasting from 1 to 2 weeks [ 109 ].…”