The omicron variant that started from south Africa has now invaded almost every country on the globe. Its symptoms are slightly different from that of covid-19 hence its more difficult to spot. The highly transmissible mutant variant has resulted in an increase in cases, raising the risk of another COVID outbreak. Given the current scenario, it is a must to be aware of all typical and uncommon signs of a respiratory infection so that necessary action can be taken as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen events. While there is still much to learn about the novel variant, it has been found to cause symptoms that are very similar to the common cold, but health experts are now warning of a more unusual sign of infection that can affect your skin, lips or nails.
What are the skin, lips, and nail signs of Covid-19?
People infected with Covid may notice that their skin, lips, or nail beds may develop a pale, grey, or blue-coloured tinge. If your nail beds have become blue or grey, you should seek medical assistance right away. People with Covid-19, according to the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), experience a wide range of symptoms in addition to the primary three.
Depending on our skin tone, we should be aware of pale, grey, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, as this can indicate a lack of oxygen in the blood. These symptoms are emergency warning indicators, according to the health organisation, and we should seek medical help right away. Trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, bewilderment, and the inability to wake or stay awake are also emergency indicators.
The most commonly reported symptoms are:
Runny nose, headache, sneezing, persistent cough and sore throat.
Influence of quarantine mask on skin
Skin is the outermost layer our body has many functions to maintain people who frequently wear a mask experience skin problems and discomfort. Skin changes after the mask are used for 6 hours and more.
1. Skin temperature redness and( TEW) redness by 3 per cent and 20 per cent of (TEW)rise in temperature 9 per cent increase redness.
2. Sebum content increased by more than 13 per cent and PH reduce by 3.24 per cent make it more acidic.
3. Skin elasticity reduce by 9.9 per cent the skin pore size enlarged by 72 per cent. The acne lesion count increased by 1.62 per cent.
4. Skin temperature increase due to an increase in temperature inside the mask due to exhalation. increase in skin red mess seems to be associated with pressure and contact of the mask and skin temperature because skin vessels dilate & blood flow increases.
5. Sebum content and PH
Mask use increase the temperature around the skin with promotes sebum production. PH, when the secretion of sebum & sweat increases the skin surface, becomes a mask acidic.
6 . Repeated mask use led to increased skin fatigue& eventually decreased skin elasticity Increased pore size frequently and prolonged exposure to rise in temperature& rise in humidity due to continuous mask use. Enlarged pore volume gives rise to increase in acne lesions. However, some people have also reported night sweats, nausea, fatigue, body aches and pains, fever, skin rashes and sore eyes which may last for 4-5 days before clearing up.
With inputs from Dr Satish Bhatia a Board Certified Dermatologist at the Indian Cancer Society Mumbai.
