Hair loss to skin lesions: Watch out for these unusual Covid symptoms

A brand new examine has discovered that Covid signs have advanced and it isn’t confined to fever or flu. From pores and skin lesions to listening to loss, new signs have even shocked the researchers

1. Pores and skin lesions

COVID-related pores and skin complaints will not be unusual. A UK examine revealed in 2021 discovered that one in 5 sufferers solely exhibited a rash and no different symptom.

COVID can have an effect on the pores and skin in a wide range of methods. Some individuals might expertise a widespread maculopapular rash (flat or raised areas of discolored pores and skin), whereas others would possibly current with hives (raised areas of itchy pores and skin).

“COVID toes”, in the meantime, describes pink, swollen, or blistering pores and skin lesions on the toes. This symptom is extra generally seen in adolescents or younger adults with gentle or no signs.

Most COVID pores and skin lesions are likely to go away after a couple of days, or in some cases a couple of weeks, with out the necessity for any specialised therapy. If the pores and skin could be very itchy or painful although, you’ll be able to seek the advice of a GP or dermatologist, who might advocate therapy corresponding to a cream.

2. COVID nails

Throughout an an infection, together with that of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19), our our bodies naturally attempt to categorical that they’re below an uncommon quantity of stress. They’ll do that in a wide range of bizarre methods, together with by means of our nails. “COVID nails” encompasses modifications corresponding to Beau’s traces – horizontal indentations that happen on the base of the fingernails or toenails when there’s a short lived interruption in nail development attributable to bodily stress on the physique Mees’ traces – horizontal white traces that seem on the nails, regarded as brought on by the irregular manufacturing of proteins within the nail mattress a pink half-moon sample which develops on the base of the fingernails (the mechanism underlying this modification is unclear).

The info on how many individuals expertise COVID nails is proscribed, however it’s been estimated it might be as much as 1-2% of COVID sufferers.

COVID nails have a tendency to look within the days or perhaps weeks following COVID an infection because the nails develop. Though they could be painful initially, the overwhelming majority are likely to return to regular over a couple of weeks.

Notably, whereas these modifications could also be indicative of COVID, they will also be brought on by various things. For instance, Beau’s traces may be secondary to chemotherapy or one other an infection.

3. Hair loss

Hair loss is probably an understated symptom of COVID-19, normally occurring one month or extra after the acute an infection. In a single examine of just about 6,000 individuals who had beforehand had COVID, hair loss was the most typical post-COVID symptom, reported by 48% of members. It was particularly prevalent amongst individuals who had extreme COVID and white girls.

It’s thought that this outcomes from the hair “sensing” the stress within the physique, resulting in extra shedding. Certainly, hair loss will also be triggered by different hectic occasions, corresponding to childbirth. The excellent news is that with time the hair grows again to regular.

4. Listening to loss and tinnitus

As with different viral infections, such because the flu and measles, COVID has been discovered to have an effect on the cells within the inside ear, with listening to loss or tinnitus (a relentless ringing sensation within the ear) generally the next an infection.

In a evaluate examine that included 560 members, the listening to loss occurred in 3.1% of sufferers with COVID, whereas tinnitus occurred in 4.5%.

In a single examine of 30 individuals who had been recognized with COVID, and 30 who hadn’t – none with pre-existing listening to issues – the researchers discovered that COVID was related to harm to the inside ear which led to listening to impairment at greater frequencies. Whereas for the overwhelming majority of sufferers this resolves by itself, instances of everlasting listening to loss linked to COVID have been reported.

Why all these signs? We don’t perceive precisely what causes these signs, however we all know an important half is performed by a course of known as irritation. Irritation is our physique’s pure defence mechanism in opposition to pathogens; SARS-CoV-2 on this case. It entails the manufacturing of “cytokines” – proteins which are essential in controlling the exercise of immune cells.

Extreme manufacturing of those proteins, as part of the irritation triggered by COVID an infection, may cause sensory deficits, which probably clarify why some individuals are presenting with listening to loss and tinnitus. It could actually additionally disrupt the capillary networks, very tiny blood vessels which offer blood to organs together with the ears, pores and skin, and nails.

The signs we’ve described right here will not be unique to COVID an infection. That mentioned, if you happen to discover any of those signs, it will be acceptable to contemplate a COVID take a look at, particularly if you happen to’re in an space the place COVID is circulating.

It’s also possible to contact your GP, significantly if the signs are getting worse or inflicting you important discomfort. On the similar time, you may be reassured that almost all of those signs are probably to enhance with time.