Bad news for COVID-19 survivors. Serious illness can be a complication

Complications after COVID-19 still hide many secrets from us. The other was discovered by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania Psoriasis and Phototherapy Center.

Can COVID-19 cause psoriasis?

Pennsylvania researchers have shown that people who have recovered from the coronavirus are more likely to develop characteristic skin lesions. The results of their research leave no doubt - some of the convalescents had serious skin problems. - psoriasis, both its drip and pustular form.
Intestinal psoriasis is manifested by characteristic drops of pink or salmon color. On the other hand, pustular psoriasis is primarily associated with dry, flaky skin that develops pus-filled pustules. The study was carried out by prof. prof. Joel M. Gelfand, dermatologist and epidemiologist, is one of the most cited experts in his field. Under his leadership, scientists were looking for a causal relationship between coronavirus infection and psoriasis. And they found such connections.

How does the coronavirus cause skin diseases?

Researchers in Pennsylvania have determined that in some patients who contract COVID-19, inflammation lasts much longer than it should. Sometimes it becomes the basis of psoriasis, which is a systemic disease. This means that inflammation in this disease can occur throughout the body, and not just in areas where psoriasis is present. Researchers have shown that in extreme cases, psoriasis can develop into erythrodermaa serious inflammatory skin disease, manifested by extensive redness and peeling.

Scientists from Israel also contributed to the discoveries. The researchers also determined that in post-COVID patients who had previously struggled with psoriasis, her symptoms worsened. There are many indications that the condition of patients is associated with immunomodulatory therapy used in patients with psoriasis. Experts from the Albany Medical College in New York came to similar conclusions.

Psoriasis - what is this disease?

In 75 percent of cases, psoriasis occurs in people under the age of 40. It is a genetic disease, which means that most patients have no influence on its occurrence. But it’s also highly dependent on lifestyle—eating highly processed foods, stress, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol can all speed up the disease. This is confirmed by studies by Japanese scientists who noticed that psoriasis was very rare before the Second World War, but due to lifestyle changes, it appears more and more often. And in obese people it is more difficult. It has long been known that this disease can also be caused by infections, especially since the connection with COVID-19 seems justified.

How does psoriasis manifest after COVID-19?

Symptoms of psoriasis after infection with COVID-19 do not differ from its standard symptoms. The disease can affect the elbows and knees, hands, scalp (then it resembles dandruff) and even the sacro-lumbar region. There are more rare localizations - groin, armpits or gluteal space. Nail changes can also indicate psoriasis.

first a characteristic symptom is itching, burning or painful skin lesions, which persist for several weeks. Over time, the lesion turns into erythema, covered with silvery scales or pustules. The skin may be dry, cracked or flaky. In each of these cases, a consultation with a dermatologist is necessary. The specialist will assess the patient’s condition with the naked eye, and in case of doubt, take a sample, which will be sent for histopathological examination.

If you have a cold, you cough, you have conjunctivitis and, in addition, If you notice skin changes, be sure to get tested for coronavirus. The virus, and especially the Omicron variant, has been shown to frequently cause a rash.