Self-deprecating because of acne and red skin that looks ‘dirty’ after COVID-19, many women treat it the wrong way, making the situation worse

According to dermatologists, some cases of patients with post-COVID-19 skin sequelae have self-treated by using leaf baths or topical medications of unknown origin, making the disease worse.

The thought of overcoming COVID-19 gently, without symptoms is fortunate, but in recent days, Thao’s family (Ha Dong, Hanoi) is having a headache because of the post-COVID-19 sequelae.

According to this woman, her whole family became F0 more than 1 month ago and has recovered from the disease. At the time of illness, the couple had almost no symptoms and their two young children had only mild fever.

However, since recovering from the disease, her husband and two children have suffered from insomnia, either not sleeping well, or waking up in the middle of the night. She herself had acne and itching, rashes all over her body.

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At first, I thought it might be because F0 abstains from bathing, so she has acne and itching, so Thao is not too concerned, actively bathing and scrubbing. However, the red spots still do not go away and are increasingly spreading from the neck, arms down to the abdomen, calves. Only then did Thao begin to worry.

“My face is full of acne, my body is covered with red spots that look dirty, making me extremely self-conscious, I no longer dare to wear skirts to work,” Thao shared.

Self-deprecating with her current appearance, Thao looks for ways to cure it. Hearing people say that taking a bath with leaves can help soothe the rash, Ms. Thao followed. Unexpectedly, the situation did not improve, but got worse.

In fact, Thao is just one of many people who have a post-COVID-19 condition and have symptoms on their skin. In many hospitals across the country, many patients have come to the examination and treatment with red, itchy skin. medalpurpura, purpura, vasculitis, necrosis… When taking the history, most of them were F0 who had recovered from the disease and had sequelae of COVID-19.

According to statistics of the Central Hospital of Dermatology, the number of patients coming to the clinic for skin and hair problems related to COVID-19 is increasing day by day, accounting for 10% of the total number of patients visiting the hospital every day. The condition is also much more diverse.

Dermatologists say that there are many causes for patients to experience skin problems after COVID-19 such as an immune disorder that causes rashes and hives. In addition, during the treatment of COVID-19, patients must take corticosteroids and anticoagulants, which also cause rashes and acne.

Along with that, some people with pre-existing medical conditions such as atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and psoriasis also have an increase in symptoms after F0 because COVID-19 is a systemic inflammatory disease.

For cases of post-COVID-19 sequelae on the skin, depending on the patient’s medical condition, doctors will offer appropriate treatment. Although the rate of skin disease after COVID-19 is high but not too severe, people just need to be examined in time. After being diagnosed correctly, it is possible to use some common drugs to be cured.

However, according to Dr. Dang Bich Diep – Head of Social Work Department, Central Hospital of Dermatology, it is worrisome that many patients think they only have common pruritic papules, so they self-treat according to social networks. to more and more serious consequences.

“Some cases where patients self-resolved by using leaf baths or topical drugs of unknown origin aggravated the patient’s condition, appeared melaleuca, had stronger reactions,” said Dr. Diep.

Therefore, experts recommend that women after being infected with COVID-19 but experience sequels such as skin rash, redness, vasculitis… affecting their appearance should go to a medical facility or clinic. dermatology to be examined and treated, should not self-apply, bathe drugs with unknown uses to avoid unwanted effects.

Besides, keep the spirit of optimism, comfort, exercise to improve health and reduce post-COVID-19 sequelae.