Study looks at minor skin reactions reported after COVID-19 vaccine

A variety of skin reactions have occurred after novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations, according to a new preliminary data published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, though none considered serious.

From December 2020 to February 2021, researchers recorded 414 cutaneous reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, 83 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Delayed large local reactions were most common, followed by local injection site reactions, urticarial eruptions, and morbilliform eruptions. Forty-three percent of patients with first-dose reactions experienced second-dose recurrence. Additional less common reactions included pernio or chilblains, cosmetic filler reactions, zoster, herpes simplex flares, and pityriasis rosea-like reactions.

The researchers said registry analysis does not measure incidence, and morphologic misclassification is possible. However, they said they data support cutaneous reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations are generally minor and self-limited, and should not discourage vaccination.

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