SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF COVID-19 AFFECTING SKIN APPENDAGES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW BEYOND COVID-TOES.

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19 disease and responsible for a pandemic since the 2020. Multiple organ involvement has been described including cutaneous symptoms. Affection of skin appendages, however, seems to be under-reported except for COVID-toes. We performed a PUBMED research for "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" AND "skin appendages", "hair", "nails", and "skin glands" from January 2020 to April 2022. COVID toes were excluded since this symptom had extensively been discussed. The focus of this narrative review was laid on clinical presentation, association to the course of COVID-19 disease and treatment options. Skin appendages can be affected by COVID-19 disease beyond COVID-toes, both by symptomatic and asymptomatic course. Telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, and alopecia areata are the most common hair disorders in COVID-19 patients. Nails are less commonly affected by COVID-19 than hair. Splinter hemorrhages and leukonychia are the most frequent findings. While sebaceous glands seem to be uninvolved, SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins have been identified in eccrine sweat glands. Alopecia areata is often seen among asymptomatic COVID-19 patients while telogen effluvium is observed in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The half-moon sign on the nails could be a red flag for a more severe course of COVID-19. Treatment options are summarized. Skin appendages are not spared by COVID-19. Their knowledge will help to identify asymptomatic patients and patients at risk for a more severe course of the viral disease.