tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
PLoS One
. 2026 Jul 17;21(7):e0352201.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352201. eCollection 2026.
Skin manifestations of primary COVID-19 infection with the omicron variant
Chuan Ma[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jiachen Sun[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Zilian Liu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chunlei Zhang[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Yuansheng Chen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jiawang Ma[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Qing Ma[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Although cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 have been increasingly documented across earlier variants, the dermatological characteristics specifically associated with the Omicron variant, particularly in the Chinese population, remain insufficiently characterized in the literature.
Objective: To characterize cutaneous manifestations in patients with primary COVID-19 infection caused by the Omicron variant and corresponding management.
Methods: 94 participants were included in this retrospective analysis, who developed dermatologic symptoms within one month of COVID-19 Omicron Variant infection.
Results: Mean age was 38 years old, ranging from 7 to 89; with 66% aged within 25-50. A significantly higher incidence of skin manifestations was reported among females (males vs. females, 1:2.76, p = 0.001). Skin rashes typically appeared three days after the onset of COVID symptoms (ranging between 2-7 days), which were mostly mild to moderate. Common morphological types included wheals, erythema, and papular/papulovesicular eruptions. Generalized rashes occurred in 50% of cases, while localized rashes mainly affected the extremities. Pruritus was the most frequent symptom (>90%), particularly in patients presenting with wheals. Clinical management included topical steroid creams and antiviral treatment for COVID-19. No follow-ups were required for most participants (>95%).
Conclusion: Skin rashes associated with Omicron variant COVID-19 infection, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged women, are characterized by wheals, erythema, and papular/papulovesicular eruptions. Early identification and management of these cutaneous symptoms should be integrated in the overall treatment plan of Omicron variant COVID-19 infection.
. 2026 Jul 17;21(7):e0352201.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352201. eCollection 2026.
Skin manifestations of primary COVID-19 infection with the omicron variant
Chuan Ma[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jiachen Sun[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Zilian Liu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chunlei Zhang[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Yuansheng Chen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Jiawang Ma[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Qing Ma[SUP] 3 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 42467637
- PMCID: PMC13378995
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352201
Background: Although cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 have been increasingly documented across earlier variants, the dermatological characteristics specifically associated with the Omicron variant, particularly in the Chinese population, remain insufficiently characterized in the literature.
Objective: To characterize cutaneous manifestations in patients with primary COVID-19 infection caused by the Omicron variant and corresponding management.
Methods: 94 participants were included in this retrospective analysis, who developed dermatologic symptoms within one month of COVID-19 Omicron Variant infection.
Results: Mean age was 38 years old, ranging from 7 to 89; with 66% aged within 25-50. A significantly higher incidence of skin manifestations was reported among females (males vs. females, 1:2.76, p = 0.001). Skin rashes typically appeared three days after the onset of COVID symptoms (ranging between 2-7 days), which were mostly mild to moderate. Common morphological types included wheals, erythema, and papular/papulovesicular eruptions. Generalized rashes occurred in 50% of cases, while localized rashes mainly affected the extremities. Pruritus was the most frequent symptom (>90%), particularly in patients presenting with wheals. Clinical management included topical steroid creams and antiviral treatment for COVID-19. No follow-ups were required for most participants (>95%).
Conclusion: Skin rashes associated with Omicron variant COVID-19 infection, predominantly affecting young and middle-aged women, are characterized by wheals, erythema, and papular/papulovesicular eruptions. Early identification and management of these cutaneous symptoms should be integrated in the overall treatment plan of Omicron variant COVID-19 infection.