Skin diseases accompanying COVID-19 infection – literature review

Atricles

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease entity caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. It was first diagnosed in Wuhan, China. Its high rate of infectivity, low virulence, and asymptomatic transmission have caused it to spread rapidly beyond geographic boundaries, leading to a pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak was identified as a public health emergency of international concern following a declared global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus composed of single-stranded RNA and belongs to the coronavirus family. The virus enters cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor 2 (ACE2) on the surface of the cells. The lungs are the main site of COVID-19 infection, with symptoms ranging from mild flu-like, to fulminant pneumonia in patients. Patients have also been diagnosed with multiple cutaneous manifestations during the course of COVID-19. The aim of the article was to present, based on the available literature, selected skin disorders in patients with COVID-19. The basis of these changes is not fully understood and requires further research.

Keywords: coronavirus, skin diseases, COVID-19

Carpal tunnel syndrome in persons performing cosmetic procedures

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Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common chronic median nerve mononeuropathy manifested by nocturnal paraesthesia, sensory disturbances, and weakness or atrophy of the hand muscles. The symptoms of this syndrome are the result of chronic ischemia of the median nerve caused by increased pressure inside the carpal tunnel. The increase in intracanal pressure may occur as a result of an injury, anomalies in the structure of anatomical structures, endocrine disorders, or in specific positions of the wrist maintained for a long time – maximum dorsal or palmar flexion of the hand. Such positions are very often taken by office workers, whose nature of work resembles that of a beautician. The main goal of this study was to collect and present up-to-date information on the characteristics, clinical picture, etiology and epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (with particular emphasis on the beautician profession) as commonly considered a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. The additional purpose was to present conservative and surgical treatment as the two main methods of improving the patient’s health. In the non-advanced forms of carpal tunnel syndrome conservative treatment is used. The most common method is to immobilize the wrist in an intermediate position in the orthosis. Pharmacotherapy is also effective. Physiotherapeutic activities are mainly aimed at improving the patient’s quality of life, especially in the area of pain relief. If there is no improvement in response to conservative treatment or worsening of the syndrome’s symptoms, surgical treatment should be considered.