Specifically, we would recommend taking an antihistamine such as fexofenadine or cetirizine and using a topical steroid for the itch, swelling, and redness," Saff says. COVID-19: Cutaneous manifestations and issues Others have side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities. Peeling hands, fatigue, brain fog: COVID-19 side effects last for months for some patients. For example, the dry air in certain regions can cause the exposed skin on your hands to dry, crack, and peel. Shingrix Second Dose: Everything You Need to Know. My hands would peel, she said. COVID-19 Vaccine SheddingWhy Vaccine Shedding Won't Happen. For example, during the winter, the humidity in the air is lower, which can cause the skin on the palms to dry out, crack, and peel.. In most cases, this condition happens to the hands and feet, but it can also affect the arms and legs. In a study published in the NEJM in February, 2021, the investigators reported that 12,765 (84.2%) of the 15,168 participants who had received the vaccine rather than the placebo developed an immediate skin reaction after receiving their first dose of the vaccine. A COVID-19 rash in adults can vary in appearance. Although the doctors who wrote the study dont yet know why patients are currently experiencing these types of reactions, they do note that most cases of post-vaccination skin inflammation can be cured with an at-home remedy, and New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD agrees. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. If you develop a reaction, the researchers recommend treatment with basic over-the-counter anti-allergy medications. Another report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Dermatology on May 12, 2021 described 15 cases of skin reactionssometimes called "COVID arm"that occurred within two to 12 days after a first dose of the Moderna vaccine. A person with tinea manuum may develop skin on the hands that is: APSS is a very rare skin disorder where the top layer of the skin peels off painlessly. Skin Days later, he developed itching under his arm. Some people experience a little discomfort and can continue to go about their day. It causes rash-like sores, which can peel. It could also indicate an underlying condition. Moisturize after washing with a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or even plain petroleum jelly. JAMA Dermatol. But the angry-looking skin condition can be mistaken for an infection, according to a letter published on Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine. She has previously written for publications including Insider and Cancer Health. This results in red plaques, often with scaling and peeling. If that doesnt do the trick, contact your board-certified doctor to see if an oral cortisone is right for you., Dr. Peredo also adds that a local skin reaction after the first shot should not scare you away from receiving a second dose. Others have side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities. Peeling hands, fatigue, brain fog Dry the hands with a clean towel, leaving some water on them. All Rights Reserved. COVID vaccine Recognition of such early signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may enable identification of cases missed when relying only on the core symptoms, allowing preventive measures to be put in place to minimize further spreading of the infection, says Mario Falichi, PhD, senior author of the study.