Cutaneous manifestations secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic. Case presentation

Abstract

Introduction: The primary cutaneous manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are grouped into five clinical dermatologic patterns. However, the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of skin conditions also include a worsening of pre-existing skin diseases, an increase in the incidence of stress-related dermatoses and others related to physical-chemical factors. Objective: To present a patient with ocular herpes simplex and alopecia areata of the beard as secondary cutaneous manifestations to the COVID-19 pandemic. Case presentation: Twenty-two-year-old male patient, medical student, with personal pathological history of apparent health who is conducting the active investigation of respiratory symptoms in support of the confrontation with COVID-19. Primary ocular infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 with recurrence 15 days later as well as alopecia areata of the beard in single plaque were diagnosed approximately 8 weeks after the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Cuba. Conclusions: Herpes simplex and alopecia areata are skin manifestations secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes in lifestyle that this disease has caused may be the triggering factor for these stress-related dermatoses to which health care personnel are more vulnerable than the rest of the population.

Keywords

• covid-19
• coronavirus
• pandemia
• herpes simple
• alopecia areata