You can also contact your GP, particularly if the symptoms are getting worse or causing you significant discomfort. That said, if you notice any of these symptoms, it would be appropriate to consider a COVID test, especially if you’re in an area where COVID is circulating. The symptoms we’ve described here are not exclusive to COVID infection. It can also disrupt the capillary networks, very tiny blood vessels which provide blood to organs including the ears, skin and nails.įour COVID-related skin complaints everyone should look out for It involves the production of “cytokines” – proteins which are important in controlling the activity of immune cells.Įxcessive production of these proteins, as a part of the inflammation triggered by COVID infection, can cause sensory deficits, which potentially explain why some people are presenting with hearing loss and tinnitus. Inflammation is our body’s natural defence mechanism against pathogens SARS-CoV-2 in this case. We don’t understand exactly what causes these symptoms, but we know the most important part is played by a process called inflammation. While for the vast majority of patients this resolves on its own, cases of permanent hearing loss linked to COVID have been reported. In one study of 30 people who had been diagnosed with COVID, and 30 who hadn’t – none with pre-existing hearing problems – the researchers found that COVID was associated with damage to the inner ear which led to hearing impairment at higher frequencies. In a review study that included 560 participants, hearing loss occurred in 3.1% of patients with COVID, while tinnitus occurred in 4.5%.ĬOVID has been associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. The good news is that with time the hair grows back to normal.Īs with other viral infections, such as the flu and measles, COVID has been found to affect the cells in the inner ear, with hearing loss or tinnitus (a constant ringing sensation in the ear) sometimes following infection. Indeed, hair loss can also be triggered by other stressful events, such as childbirth. It is thought that this results from the hair “sensing” the stress in the body, leading to excess shedding. It was especially prevalent among people who had severe COVID and white women. In one study of almost 6,000 people who had previously had COVID, hair loss was the most common post-COVID symptom, reported by 48% of participants. Hair loss is perhaps an understated symptom of COVID-19, usually occurring one month or more after the acute infection. For example, Beau’s lines can be secondary to chemotherapy or another infection. Notably, while these changes may be indicative of COVID, they can also be caused by different things. Although they might be painful initially, the vast majority tend to return to normal over a few weeks. The data on how many people experience COVID nails is limited, but it’s been estimated it could be up to 1-2% of COVID patients.ĬOVID nails tend to appear in the days or weeks following COVID infection as the nails grow. Mees’ lines – horizontal white lines that appear on the nails, thought to be caused by the abnormal production of proteins in the nail bedĪ red half-moon pattern which develops at the base of the fingernails (the mechanism underlying this change is unclear). “ COVID nails” encompasses changes such as:īeau’s lines – horizontal indentations that occur at the base of the fingernails or toenails when there’s a temporary interruption in nail growth due to a physical stress on the body They can do this in a variety of weird and wonderful ways, including through our nails. Ternavskaia Olga Alibec/Shutterstockĭuring an infection, including that of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19), our bodies naturally try to express that they’re under an unusual amount of stress. ‘COVID toes’ are characterised by red, swollen or blistering skin lesions.
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