Association of COVID‐19 with skin diseases and relevant biologics

There is concern about the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and skin diseases, or relevant ‘biologics’ – a type of drug used to treat some skin diseases. This study analysed a nationwide dataset relevant to COVID‐19 in South Korea. The dataset contained a total of 234 427 people who underwent COVID‐19 testing (111 947 male and 122 480 female). Of them, 7590 (3·2%) were confirmed as COVID‐19 positive, and 227 (3·0%) confirmed COVID‐19 positive patients died. No significant increase in the presence of specific skin diseases or exposure to biologics was observed in the COVID‐19 positive group. The presence of skin diseases and exposure to biologics also did not seem to affect clinical outcomes (the severity of COVID‐19 infection) or mortality (likelihood of dying from COVID‐19). This study showed that underlying skin diseases or exposure to relevant biologics did not appear to increase susceptibility to coronavirus disease, or mortality from coronavirus disease. Biologics for dermatological conditions might be continuously used during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Linked Article: Cho et al. Br J Dermatol 2021; 184:296–303.