Recommendations Pediatric Dermatology Branch, Chilean Society of Pediatrics. COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The current Covid-19 pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) corresponds to a highly contagious viral zoonosis that has required to extreme measures in order to decrease the transmission of the virus in hospital settings and outside of them, requiring adoption of strict isolation methods, both contact and aerosols. This has required the adoption of multiple personal protective equipment, including eye protection, masks, face shield, medical caps, gloves, etc. The aforementioned has generated an increase in the damage of the skin barrier, and therefore, the appearance of various dermatoses, among which are irritative o alergic contact dermatitis, acneiform reactions, aggravation of previous dermatoses, and others, thus becoming vital protection and restoration of the skin barrier with measures such as the application of moisturizing or emollient products and the correct use of personal protection equipment. However, not only dermatoses are generated derived from the use of personal protection equipment, but also, within the wide spectrum of dermatological manifestations that Covid-19 disease itself can generate, including cutaneous, hairy involvement (telogen effluvium) or nail (onychomadesis). Cutaneous involvement may correspond to the first clinical expression of the disease or be a predictor of its evolution. Among the above we find acute urticaria, maculo-papular rash, chickenpox-like rash, petechial rash, perniosis-like, and livedo reticularis as the main forms of skin condition to date.