More than two years have passed since the pandemic occurred, and hundreds of thousands of people have COVID-19 Case Study It continues to be recorded all over the world every day.
With the advent of new variants, the symptoms of Covid-19 have evolved. Initially, the United Kingdom National Health Service considered fever, cough, and loss or change of smell or taste as follows: Main symptoms This may indicate a Covid-19 infection.Now recently updated guidance It is also advisable to pay attention to symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and runny nose, and headache.
But what about some of the more ambiguous signs and symptoms? From skin lesions to deafness, there is increasing data showing that the symptoms of Covid-19 can exceed those expected from a common cold or flu.
1. Skin lesions
Covid-related skin complaints are not uncommon. actual, British studies According to the announcement in 2021, one in five patients showed only a rash and no other symptoms.
Covid can affect the skin Various methods.. Some people may experience a widespread papular rash (flat or raised areas of discolored skin), while others may present with hives (raised areas of itchy skin). Maybe.
“”Covid toesOn the other hand, “indicates that the skin lesions on the toes are red and swollen or have blisters. This condition is common in adolescents or young adults who are mild or asymptomatic.
Most Covid skin lesions tend to disappear after a few days, and in some cases weeks, without the need for special treatment. However, if your skin is very itchy or painful, you can consult a general practitioner or dermatologist to recommend treatments such as creams.
2. Covid Nail
During infections, including SARS-CoV-2 (a virus that causes Covid-19), our bodies naturally try to express that they are under abnormal amounts of stress. They can do this in a variety of weird and wonderful ways, including through our nails. “”Covid NailIncludes the following changes:
- Beau’s line – Horizontal depressions in the nails of the fingers or the base of the toenails when physical stress on the body temporarily interrupts nail growth
- Mees’ line – Horizontal white lines appearing on the nail, believed to be due to abnormal protein production in the nail bed
- A Red half moon pattern It occurs at the base of the fingernail (the underlying mechanism of this change is unknown).
Data on the number of people experiencing Covid Nail are limited, but it is estimated that it is possible. Up to 1% to 2% Of Covid-19 patients.
Covid nails tend to appear days or weeks after Covid infection as the nails grow. It may be painful at first, but the majority tend to return to normal in a few weeks.
In particular, these changes may indicate Covid, but they can also be caused by a variety of causes. For example, Beau’s line can be secondary to chemotherapy or another infection.
3. Hair loss
Hair loss is probably a modest symptom of Covid-19, usually occurring more than a month after an acute infection.Hair loss was found in a study of about 6,000 people who had previously been infected with Covid. Very common Post-Covid symptoms reported by 48% of participants. It was especially prevalent among those who had terrible Covid and white women.
It is believed that this is due to the hair “sensing” the body’s stress, leading to excessive shedding. Indeed, hair loss can also be caused by other stressful events such as childbirth. The Good news Over time, your hair will return to normal.
4. Deafness, tinnitus
Like any other Virus infectionCovid-19, such as influenza and measles, affects cells in the inner ear and may be accompanied by deafness and tinnitus (following tinnitus) after infection.
so Review study Including 560 participants, deafness occurred in 3.1% of Covid patients and tinnitus in 4.5%.
of One study Of the 30 diagnosed with Covid-19 and 30 not, there was no existing hearing loss. Researchers have found that Covid-19 is associated with damage to the inner ear and causes hearing loss at higher frequencies. For the majority of patients, this solves itself, Permanent deafness It has been reported to be linked to Covid-19.
Why these symptoms?
The exact cause of these symptoms is unknown, but we know that their most important role is played by the following processes: inflammation.. Inflammation is our body’s natural defense mechanism against pathogens (SARS-CoV-2 in this case). This includes the production of “cytokines,” proteins that are important in controlling the activity of immune cells.
Overproduction of these proteins as part of the inflammation caused by Covid-19 infection Sensory disorders, This may explain why some people are experiencing deafness and tinnitus. It can also destroy the capillary network, which is a very small blood vessel that supplies blood to organs such as the ears, skin, and nails.
The symptoms described here are not limited to Covid-19 infections. However, if you notice any of these symptoms, especially if you are in an area where Covid-19 is endemic, it is appropriate to consider a Covid-19 test.
You can also contact a general practitioner, especially if your symptoms are getting worse or if you are causing serious discomfort. At the same time, you can rest assured that most of these symptoms are likely to improve over time.
Vassilios Vassiliou Professor of Cardiac Medicine Ranu Baral I am a visiting researcher (Academic Foundation Doctor FY2) at the University of East Anglia. Vasiliki Tsampasian Cardiology SpR & NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow University of East Anglia..
This article first appeared conversation..