Content

• Steps

A skin rash is a common symptom of HIV infection. This is the initial sign of most infections and appears within 2-3 weeks of being infected with the virus. However, skin rashes can be caused by other less dangerous factors such as an allergic reaction or skin problem. If in doubt, you should see your doctor and get an HIV test. That way, you can be properly treated.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Recognize the symptoms of a rash caused by HIV

1. 

   Watch for red rash, slightly swollen skin, and very itchy skin. A rash caused by HIV usually causes dark spots on the skin, red spots in people with white skin, and dark purple spots in people with darker skin.
   • The severity of the rash will vary from person to person. Some cases have a severe rash that covers large areas of skin, while others have only minor rashes.
   • If it is due to the antiviral drug, the HIV rash will appear red, slightly raised, and cover the entire body. This rash is called "erythema".

2. 

   
   
   Note if the rash appears on the shoulders, chest, face, upper body, and hands. These are the sites where an HIV rash usually appears. However, the rash usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. Some people often mistake this as an allergic reaction or eczema.
   • A rash due to HIV infection is not contagious, so there is no risk of HIV transmission through a rash.

3. 

   
   
   Watch out for other symptoms that can appear with an HIV rash, including:
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Mouth pain
   • Fever
   • Diarrhea
   • Muscle pain
   • Cramps and pain
   • Aneurysm glands
   • Blurred vision
   • Not delicious
   • Athritis

4. 

   
   
   Be alert to the causes of an HIV rash. This type of rash occurs due to a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the body. A rash can appear at any stage when infected with HIV but usually 2-3 weeks after becoming infected with the virus. This stage is called seroconversion, where the infection can be detected through a blood test. Some patients may not go through this stage and develop an HIV rash in later stages of infection.
   • An HIV rash can also be caused by an adverse reaction to anti-HIV medications. Medicines like Amprenavir, Abacavir and Nevirapine can cause an HIV rash.
   • During the third stage of HIV infection, the patient may develop a rash from dermatitis. This rash appears pink, reddish, and itchy. Symptoms can last 1-3 years and usually appear in the groin, underarms, chest, face, and back.
   • In addition, you may get an HIV rash if you are infected with Herpes or HIV positive.

Part 2 of 3: Getting medical care

1. 

   Get an HIV test if you have a mild rash. If you have not been tested for HIV, your doctor will probably do a blood test to see if you have the virus. If the result is negative, your doctor will determine if the rash is caused by an allergic reaction to a food or other factor. You may have a skin problem like eczema (dermatitis).
   • If the test is positive, the doctor will prescribe anti-HIV drugs and treatment.
   • If you have taken anti-HIV medication and the rash is mild, your doctor will instruct you to continue taking it as the rash usually disappears after 1-3 weeks.
   • To reduce the rash, especially the itching, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine like Benadryl or Atarax, or a corticosteroid cream.

2. 

   Seek immediate medical attention if rash is severe. A severe rash can appear with other symptoms of a viral infection such as fever, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches, and mouth pain. If you have not been tested for HIV, your doctor will do a blood test to see if you have the virus. Doctors can prescribe anti-HIV drugs and treatment plans, based on test results.

3. 

   Consult your doctor if symptoms get worse, especially after taking medications. The body can become extremely sensitive to certain drugs and HIV symptoms (including a rash) may worsen. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking your medication and recommend an alternative medicine. Symptoms of extreme sensitivity usually go away after 24-48 hours. There are 3 main groups of anti-HIV drugs that can cause skin rashes:
   • NNRTI group of drugs (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
   • NRTI class of drugs (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors)
   • PI drug group
   • NNRTIs, such as Nevirapine (Viramune) are the most common cause of drug-induced skin rashes. Abacavir (Ziagen) is an NRTI that can cause skin rashes. PIs such as Amprenavir (Agenerase) and Tipranavir (Aptivus) can cause a skin rash.

4. 

   Do not take any medication that causes an allergic reaction. If your doctor advises you to stop taking a certain drug due to an extreme sensitivity or allergic reaction, then you should not take that drug anymore. Otherwise, you increase your risk of having a more serious reaction that could make the condition worse.

5. 

   Ask your doctor about infections that may cause hives. People with HIV are at high risk of unknowingly becoming infected due to an abnormality in immune cell function. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common bacterium in HIV-positive people, which can lead to impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis, cellulitis, abscesses, and ulcers. If you have HIV, you should see your doctor for an MRSA test. If you have HIV, you may want your doctor to test for MRSA.

Part 3 of 3: Treating a rash at home

1. 

   Apply medicated cream to the rash. Your doctor may prescribe anti-allergy medications or medications to help relieve the itching and discomfort. You can also buy an over-the-counter antihistamine cream to ease these symptoms. Apply the cream according to the instructions on the package.

2. 

   Avoid direct sunlight or extreme cold. These two factors can both provoke a rash caused by HIV and make the rash worse.
   • If you have to go out, you should wear sunscreen to protect your skin or wear long sleeves and pants.
   • Wear a jacket and warm clothing when going outside to avoid exposing your skin to extremely cold temperatures.

3. 

   Take a cool bath. Hot water can provoke the rash. Take a bath or bath in cool water or a sponge bath to soothe your skin.
   • You can pat warm water on your skin, but don't rub it in the shower. Apply natural moisturizers to your skin, such as those containing coconut oil or aloe vera, to help your skin heal immediately after bathing. The top layer of skin is like a sponge, so applying moisturizer after stimulating the pores will help retain water inside the skin and prevent dryness.

4. 

   Use a mild soap or herbal shower gel. Chemical soaps can irritate the skin and cause dry, itchy skin. Look for mild soaps, such as baby soap, or herbal shower gel, which can be found at pharmacies.
   • Avoid using products containing chemicals such as Petrolatum; Methyl-, Propyl-, Butyl-, Ethylparaben and Propylene Glycol. These are synthetic ingredients that can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
   • You can make your own herbal shower gel with natural moisturizers like olive oil, aloe vera and almond oil.
   • Natural moisturizers should be applied to skin after bathing and throughout the day to keep skin moisturized.

5. 

   Wear soft cotton clothing. Synthetic or fiber clothing that prevents skin from breathing can cause you to sweat and further irritate your skin.
   • Tight clothing can rub against the skin and worsen an HIV rash.

6. 

   Continue taking the antiviral medication. You should let the anti-HIV drugs prescribed by your doctor take effect. It helps to improve T-cell counts and treat symptoms such as an HIV rash, as long as you have no allergic reaction to the drug.