# Linear Morphea in the Context of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection: A Unique Dermatological Manifestation

## TL;DR

A 22-year-old woman developed linear morphea after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms recurring after vaccination, highlighting a new dermatological manifestation of COVID-19.

## Contribution

This is the first documented case linking linear morphea to SARS-CoV-2 infection and its recurrence after vaccination.

## Key findings

- A 22-year-old previously healthy female developed linear morphea following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The patient experienced a recurrence of cutaneous symptoms after receiving the Sputnik V vaccine.
- Skin biopsy confirmed dermal and septal hypodermal fibrosis consistent with morphea.

## Abstract

Morphea, a rare skin disorder characterized by localized areas of thickened and sclerotic skin, typically presents as circumscribed plaques. The linear variant, however, manifests as linear bands of sclerosis affecting the extremities, and its association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been documented until now. In this article, we present the case of a 22-year-old previously healthy female patient who contracted COVID-19 complicated by an erythroedema on the back of the right hand, extending notably to the forearm on the 10th day of the infection. Skin biopsy revealed dermal and septal hypodermal fibrosis with a mild lymphocytic interstitial infiltrate in the dermis consistent with morphea. Treatment with low-dose corticosteroids was started, and regular follow-up was established. An isolated recurrence of cutaneous symptoms was observed after the first COVID-19 vaccination (Sputnik V) administered five months after the initial infection, with spontaneous regression in 10 days. This clinical evolution underscores the importance of a comprehensive understanding of dermatological manifestations in COVID-19, particularly in the context of post-infection vaccination.