Hello Doctor,
I had COVID-19 in 2022, and it started with severe back pain on Day 1, followed by a high fever of 103°F the next day. After the fever, I developed rashes on both of my palms (not anywhere else). The rashes weren’t itchy or fluid-filled but were painful when I tried to pick up objects with my hands. They healed in about 2-3 weeks without any treatment, and I only took paracetamol for the fever.
Now, in 2025, I had another viral fever (102.6°F) with similar symptoms. The rashes appeared again a day after the fever but healed within a week without any medications. I took azithromycin 500mg once daily for 3 days starting a day after the fever started.
Ever since then, I’ve been experiencing severe hair fall and dry skin. Could these symptoms be linked to my previous COVID infection or the viral fever in 2025?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
1. Based on the information you've shared, it seems that this issue has occurred twice—once with COVID-19 in 2022 and again with a viral fever in 2025. Both times, you developed rashes on your palms following fever, which healed without treatment, and you experienced symptoms like hair loss and dry skin afterward. These symptoms could be related to the viral infections themselves or the body’s immune response to them.
2. The hair loss and dry skin you’ve mentioned could also be signs of thyroid dysfunction, as such symptoms can be linked to an imbalance in thyroid hormones. It would be helpful to check your thyroid function, as this can provide clarity on whether that’s contributing to the issue.
3. While viral infections can sometimes cause skin rashes and hair loss as part of the recovery process, it's important to rule out other potential causes, such as autoimmune conditions or other underlying health factors. I recommend having a full check-up to assess your thyroid, as well as any other relevant tests that could shed light on your current symptoms.
Thanks
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