A new study reveals that skin discoloration and rashes are new COVID-19 symptoms. Researchers from the New York-Presbyterian or Weill Cornell Medical College lead the study.

skin rashes
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Researchers from the different fields of medicine and sciences continue to search for the symptoms and side-effects of COVID-19. Recently researchers found out that recovered COVID-19 patients suffer hair loss and deterioration of the sense of hearing.

This time, researchers from the New York-Presbyterian or Weill Cornell Medical College found out an interesting report. After months of documenting, researchers found out that skin inflammation is more common to COVID-19 patients and could be their first symptom. 

The result of their study was published in the JAMA Dermatology. Their research focuses mainly on four patients aged between 40 to 80 and has severe coronavirus infections. They also presented skin discoloration aside from skin lesions called retiform purpura. 

The researchers performed biopsies to the patients, and they found out that all patients had vasculopathy or, in other words, their blood vessels were affected. The researchers of the study firmly believed that skin discoloration could signify the blockage of blood vessels. 

This is a dermatological manifestation of the virus that could be a clue that there is abnormal blood clotting that occurred due to the infection. Meanwhile, while this symptom is no longer new for COVID-19 patients, this remains under-discussed and not given attention. 

In fact, there was a study on skin discoloration about COVID-19 last month. The researchers from Kings College presented their data using the COVID-19 Symptom Study App. The result of their study was very surprising and unexpected.

The research was participated by around 336,000 who tested positive for the virus. It was found out that 8.8 percent reported skin rash as a symptom; 17 percent said it was their first symptom, and 21 percent said it was their only symptom. 

Dr. Veronique Bataille, a consultant dermatologist at St Thomas' Hospital and King's College London and who was also involved in the study, confirmed and said that many viral infections could affect the skin. This simply means that it is not surprising anymore seeing COVID-19 patients experience skin rashes. 

However, Dr. Bataille warned people not to disregard skin rashes because this may only be the only symptom that a person may experience. She added that if you notice a person notices skin rash, it should be taken seriously by deciding to self-isolate and get tested for the virus as soon as possible. 

Aside from that, other dermatologists also suggested rashes inside the mouth and measles-like rashes, which should also not be taken for granted. Moreover, the researchers added that there is also a need for further studies to prove the claims of the recently published studies.

Meanwhile, the researchers' and experts' main concern today is not only the side-effects and symptoms of having the virus. Their topmost priority is to strictly follow safety and health measures to avoid getting infected with the virus. 

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