There is growing evidence that not only the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but also the COVID-19 vaccines can cause a variety of skin reactions. In this review article, we provide a brief overview on cutaneous findings that have been observed since the emerging mass COVID-19 vaccination campaigns all over the world. Unspecific injection site reactions very early occurring after the vaccination are most frequent. Type I hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis) likely due to allergy to ingredients may rarely occur but can be severe. Type IV hypersensitivity reactions may be observed, including delayed large local skin lesions ("COVID arm"), inflammatory reactions in dermal filler or previous radiation sites or even old BCG scars, and more commonly moribilliform and erythema multiforme-like rashes. Autoimmune-mediated skin findings after COVID-19 vaccination include leukocytoclastic vasculitis, lupus erythematosus, and immune thrombocytopenia. Functional angiopathies (chilblain-like lesions, erythromelalgia) may also be observed. Pityriasis rosea-like rashes and reactivation of herpes zoster have also been reported after COVID-19 vaccination. In conclusion, there are numerous cutaneous reaction patterns that may occur following COVID-19 vaccination, whereby many of these skin findings are of immunological/autoimmunological nature. Importantly, molecular mimicry exists between SARS-CoV-2 (e.g., the spike-protein sequences used to design the vaccines) and human components and may thus explain some COVID-19 pathologies as well adverse skin reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations.
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science
4
3%
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
2%
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
3
2%
Other
8
6%
Unknown
79
56%
Attention Score in Context
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 269. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 06 August 2026.
All research outputs
#171,244
of 34,843,411 outputs
Outputs from Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology
#31
of 5,970 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#3,952
of 476,241 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology
#7
of 137 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 34,843,411 research outputs across all sources so far. Compared to these this one has done particularly well and is in the 99th percentile: it's in the top 5% of all research outputs ever tracked by Altmetric.
So far Altmetric has tracked 5,970 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a lot more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 13.7. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 99% of its peers.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 476,241 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 99% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 137 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 94% of its contemporaries.
