In a new study, researchers found that rashes on the inside of the mouth can be found in some people with COVID-19.
The research was conducted by a team at the University Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Spain.
The rashes are clinically known as enanthem, and it’s not surprising that they are showing up with COVID-19.
Rashes are very common in patients with viral infections like chickenpox and hand, foot, and mouth disease. It is characteristic of many viral rashes to affect mucous membranes.
In the study, the team examined 21 patients diagnosed in early April with COVID-19 and associated skin rashes.
Of these patients, six patients (29%) had enanthem on the inside of their mouths. The affected patients ranged in age from 40 to 69, and four of the six were women.
The mouth rash appeared anywhere from two days before the onset of other COVID symptoms to 24 days after, with an average time of about 12 days after onset of symptoms.
In most cases, the enanthem did not appear to be tied to any medicines the patients were taking, further strengthening the notion that it was an illness with the new coronavirus causing the reddish spots to appear.
The team says just how widespread this symptom is with COVID-19 is still unknown.
Due to safety concerns, many patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 do not have their oral cavity examined.
One author of the study is Dr. Juan Jimenez-Cauhe from the University Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid.
The study is published in JAMA Dermatology.
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