Clinical observation and analysis of skin reactions caused by COVID-19 vaccination

Dermatol Ther. 2022 Oct;35(10):e15746. doi: 10.1111/dth.15746. Epub 2022 Aug 10.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is now an essential strategy for controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. This study included 132 cases of adverse skin reactions after the injection of COVID-19 vaccination from January 2021 to January 2022. The rate of adverse skin reactions after the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were 52%, 40%, and 8% of total adverse skin reactions, respectively. The Urticaria-like rash was the most common manifestation of all adverse skin reactions, accounting for 40.15% of all adverse reactions. The Eczema-like rash was 27.27%. The rates of adverse skin reactions after vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with a previous skin disease was 12.12%. Other rare skin adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination included herpes zoster, pityriasis rosea, erythema multiforme, chickenpox, herpes simplex, psoriasis, erythrodermatitis, arthus reaction, lichen planus recurrence, measles-like rash, frostbite rash, seborrhea, and vitiligo. There were 23 cases of adverse skin reactions in the same individual after two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. There were three cases of adverse skin reactions in the same person after three doses of the vaccine. Treatment measures are mostly mild regimens, such as oral antihistamines, compounded glycopyrrolate and topical weak to moderately potent corticosteroid creams. The total duration of these skin adverse reactions ranged from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccination; adverse skin reaction; immune response; rash.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Exanthema* / chemically induced
  • Exanthema* / diagnosis
  • Exanthema* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Vaccination / adverse effects

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines