A COVID-19 rash is one of the many symptoms of COVID-19 that can occur in children or adults.
Reproduced with permission from DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Rash and COVID-19: Whats the Link?
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
One consistency across the different forms of this viral infection is how it triggers aninflammatory responsein the body.
Symptoms to Look For
Rashesthat appear with a COVID-19 infection can take many forms.
Thetype of rashcan vary by the strain of the virus and the stage of your infection.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Maculopapular and papulovesicular rashes are among the most common manifestations of a COVID-19 infection.
About one-third of all cases report both, making it difficult to differentiate between them.
There is also some variation as to when and where these rashes appear.
Finally, some researchers debate what a rash means for the severity anddurationof a COVID-19 infection.
One study describes maculopapular rashes developing later in a COVID-19 infection.
Symptoms Differences in Children vs.
Adults
Some rash forms are more common in younger people and children.
Rash Risk for Immunocompromised Teens and Adults
People with weakened immune systems are vulnerable to infection.
Complications of Untreated Rash From COVID-19
COVID-19 rashes can disappear in days or last several weeks.
In most cases, the rashes will resolve without ongoing symptoms or complications.
In rare cases, permanent tissue damage or even tissue death (necrosis) may occur.
The location and appearance of these rashes can vary from person to person and by variant.
You may also develop a rash long after other symptoms of COVID-19 appear.
Antihistamines and steroids may help relieve symptoms like inflammation and itching that accompany these rashes.
For most people, COVID-19 rashes clear in weeks without serious complications.
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