Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Urticaria , Bradykinin , Humans , Pruritus/diagnosis , Pruritus/drug therapy , Pruritus/etiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To describe the cutaneous acral findings in a pediatric population noticed during this pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was performed collecting data on 36 patients under 14 years old, presenting suspicious acral skin manifestations for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). RESULTS: Patients were mostly male (63.8%). The mean age was 11.11 years. 66.67% of patients showed erythematous papules, and 44.44% purpuric macules. Feet were affected in 97.22% of patients and hands in 5.55%. Lesions were asymptomatic in 50% of patients. 30.55% of patients showed extracutaneous findings, preceding skin lesions in 12.62 days. Seven patients underwent specific severe acute coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing; all of these patients tested negative. CONCLUSIONS: The association between these symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear. We recommend using these manifestations as a sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. This could lead to the examination of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic children so that contagions may be avoided.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Erythema/epidemiology , Pandemics/statistics & numerical data , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pruritus/epidemiology , Adolescent , Age Distribution , COVID-19 , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Comorbidity , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Erythema/diagnosis , Female , Hospitals, Urban , Humans , Incidence , Male , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Prognosis , Pruritus/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Sex Distribution , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/epidemiology , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Little is known about itch related to the use of face masks. This internet survey study investigated the prevalence, intensity and clinical characteristics of itch related to the use of face masks by the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 2,315 replies were received, of which 2,307 were included in the final analysis. Of the respondents, 1,393 (60.4%) reported using face masks during the previous week, and, of these, 273 (19.6%) participants reported having itch. Subjects who reported sensitive skin and atopic predisposition, and those with facial dermatoses (acne, atopic dermatitis or seborrhoeic dermatitis) were at significantly higher risk of itch development. The high-est rating of itch for the whole group on the Itch Numeral Rating Scale was 4.07 ± 2.06 (itch of moderate intensity). Responders who wore masks for longer periods more frequently reported itch. Almost 30% of itchy subjects reported scratching their face without removing the mask, or after removing the mask and then scratching. Wearing face masks is linked to development of itch, and scratching can lead to incorrect use of face masks, resulting in reduced protection.