31 Jan 2026 • COVID-19 infection was linked to a higher risk of developing several inflammatory skin conditions in the months that followed, a large study found.

Analyzing more than 200,000 patients, researchers reported that individuals with confirmed COVID-19 were significantly more likely than test-negative controls to later develop atopic dermatitis (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.35), acne vulgaris (IRR 1.53), rosacea (IRR 2.41), alopecia areata (IRR 2.39), and seborrheic dermatitis (IRR 1.74). The strongest excess risks were observed for rosacea and alopecia areata. In contrast, no increased risk was seen for psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, or bullous pemphigoid.

The findings position COVID-19 as a potential trigger for select inflammatory dermatoses.

Source: Oxford Academic | Read full story