An acute, ulcerative, sarcoidal tattoo reaction following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 vaccination

Dermatol Online J. 2021 Dec 15;27(12). doi: 10.5070/D3271256710.

Abstract

Two weeks after her first dose of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine, a 38-year-old woman developed acute-onset pain and ulceration within a tattoo on the distal left leg. Progressive ulceration was noted approximately one week following her second dose of the vaccine. A biopsy revealed sarcoidal granulomas and a dense neutrophilic infiltrate. Ultimately, the final diagnosis of what we have termed a "sarcoidal reaction with a Sweet-like phenomenon" was made; the patient experienced a reduction in pain and re-epithelialization of the ulcers with two weeks of the use of topical clobetasol 0.05% cream twice daily.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273
  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pain
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sarcoidosis*
  • Skin Diseases*
  • Tattooing*
  • Ulcer
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Vaccines
  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273