Skin infection in 13% mild cases: Study

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27

A study published in the Dermatologic Therapy journal has found skin infections in close to 13% cases in asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid patients at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College and Hospital, Nuh.

The study, published on June 16, included 102 positive cases comprising 95 males. As many as 27 cases were suffering from mild or moderate symptoms while the others were asymptomatic.

Dr Ashish Dalal, Dr Vishal Aggarwal and Dr Ravi Beniwal of Nuh medical college and Dr Deepak Jakhar of North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, New Delhi, contributed to the research paper.

Thirteen patients (12.7%), including eight asymptomatic, were found having skin infections. Three (2.9%) had red-coloured rashes, two (1.9%) had wheal and eight (7.8%) patients had itching without any specific skin signs.

“Trunk is the most frequently affected area, followed by hands and feet. None of the patients had any pre-existing skin diseases,” says Dr Dalal.

Red rashes were only seen in symptomatic patients.

“The present study elaborates various dermatological findings in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients from North India. Covid majorly affects pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal and other internal systems of the body. Skin manifestations were reported late in the course of this pandemic and still there is a paucity of literature characterising the dermatological presentations.”

All patients were given hydroxychloroquine 400-mg tablets two times on the first day and then 200 mg twice daily for 10 days. If patients showed fever, after ECG evaluation, azithromycin 500-mg tablets were give once a day for five days in addition.

None of Nuh patients showed swelling and colour changes of finger tips, fluid filled lesions, patchy disclouration of skin, which have been found in studies in other countries. “Different ethnicity, skin color, differences in the infective strains of SARS-CoV-2 and inclusion of only mild-to-moderate disease in our patients may be the possible explanation. This study suggests that asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate cases may show non-specific and subtle dermatological manifestations,” Dr Jakhar said.