Urticaria and Angioedema in a Patient Diagnosed with COVID-19: Case Report

• Main Authors: İlknur Akkuş, Sedat Kaygusuz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bilimsel Tip Yayinevi 2021-06-01
• Series: Flora Infeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Dergisi
• Subjects: covid-19; urticaria; angioedema
• Online Access: http://floradergisi.org/managete/fu_folder/2021-02/328-333%20Sedat%20Kaygusuz.pdf

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, which has affected the whole world, can cause clinical pictures ranging from mild cold symptoms to severe lower respiratory tract infections that can cause mortality. Recently, reports of dermatological findings associated with COVID-19 such as urticaria has been increasing. Here, a COVID-19 case presenting with urticaria and angioedema is described. A 26-year-old female patient, who was found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive by polymerase chain reaction performed for being in contact, presented to our outpatient clinic with complaints of itchy, erythematous lesions on her body and swelling in the eyes and throat for four days. The patient received favipiravir treatment for 5 days and these complaints started 4 days after the treatment ended. History of food and other drug allergies, insect bites and chemicals were questioned in the differential diagnosis for etiology, however, no relationship was detected. Systemic corticosteroid and antihistamine treatment was initiated, and edema in the eyes completely regressed and urticaria plaques faded on the 3rd day of the treatment. Dermatological findings may occur simultaneously with the classic symptoms of the disease or before or after symptoms. Although the pathogenesis between dermatological findings and COVID-19 has not been fully elucidated, studies have suggested that viral infections and SARS-CoV-2 can be an etiological agent for chronic or acute urticaria. It is thought that some rashes may be causally related to the viral effect and others to the immune response. It is emphasized that there may be atypical findings such as urticaria/angioedema in order to diagnose COVID-19 disease early and prevent its spread and should be considered in differential diagnosis.