Evaluation of Nail Findings in Patients with COVID-19 History and Wood’s Lamp Examination

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Various skin findings due to coronavirus have been identified. There are a few case reports on nail findings after coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. We aimed to document the nail findings of the COVID-19 survivors and shed light on the interesting luminescence seen under the Wood’s light. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> One hundred and seventy-four patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection in the last 100 days were grouped in terms of the agents used in the treatment. Fifty-seven volunteers without a history of infection were included. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Patients treated with favipiravir had a significantly higher positivity of luminescence (<i>p</i>: 0.0001). The most common nail findings in patients were splinter hemorrhage (13%), followed by leukonychia (12%) and longitudinal ridges (7.9%). <b><i>Discussion/Conclusions:</i></b> The luminescence may be seen due to the accumulation of favipiravir or its excipients (titanium dioxide and yellow ferric oxide) on the nails. Wood’s lamp examination of the plasma taken from a patient after favipiravir’s first dose revealed the same luminescence as we saw on the nails. Accordingly, this accumulation may be seen in the vital organs. Although our knowledge about the virus increases day by day, the potentially hazardous effects of the virus and long-term complications of the treatment options are still being investigated.