Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of an HIV Rash
• Part 2 of 3: Getting Medical Help
• Part 3 of 3: Treating your rash at home

Skin rashes are common with HIV infections. In most cases, a rash is an early sign of HIV and occurs within two to three weeks after exposure to the virus. A skin rash can also be a symptom of other less dangerous pathogens, such as an allergic reaction or skin problems. If in doubt, go to your doctor and get tested for HIV. This will give you the appropriate treatment for your problem.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of an HIV Rash

1. 1 Examine your skin for a red, slightly raised, and very itchy rash. An HIV rash often results in various acne and blemishes on the skin. In people with fair skin, the rash is red, and on dark skin, it is dark purple.
   • The intensity of the rash can vary. Some develop a severe rash that covers a large area of ​​the body, while others have a minor rash.
   • If an HIV rash is the result of antiviral medication, it will appear as a raised, reddish, focal lesion covering the entire body. This rash is called drug dermatitis or drug-induced dermatitis.
2. 2 Look for rashes on your shoulders, chest, face, torso, or arms. It is in these areas of the body that it appears most often. However, it so happens that the rash goes away on its own in a few weeks. Some people confuse it with an allergic reaction or eczema.
   • An HIV rash does not carry infection, so it cannot transmit HIV.
3. 3 Look for other symptoms that may occur with the rash. These symptoms include:
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Mouth ulcers
   • Heat
   • Diarrhea
   • Muscle pain
   • Spasms and pains throughout the body
   • Swollen lymph nodes
   • Blurry or unclear vision
   • Loss of appetite
   • Joint pain
4. 4 Beware of the factors causing the rash. This rash is caused by a decrease in the number of white blood cells (BCC) or white blood cells in the body. An HIV rash can occur at any stage of infection, but usually appears two to three weeks after exposure to the virus. This is the stage of seroconversion and during this period the infection can be detected in the blood test. Some patients do not go through this stage at all, so they develop a rash at the later stages of infection.
   • An HIV rash can also be a side effect of taking anti-HIV drugs. Medicines such as amprenavir, abacavir, and nevirapine can cause rashes.
   • The rash can occur in the third phase of HIV infection due to dermatitis. This type of rash is pinkish or reddish and itchy. This rash can last from one to three years and most often occurs in the groin, underarms, chest, face, and parts of the back.
   • An HIV rash can also occur if you have herpes or are infected with HIV.

Part 2 of 3: Getting Medical Help

1. 1 Get tested for HIV if you have a mild rash. If you have not yet been tested for HIV, then your doctor will take a blood test and check to see if you have the virus. If the test is negative, the doctor will check to see if the rash was caused by an allergic reaction to food or something else. You may also have skin problems such as eczema.
   • If you test positive for HIV, your doctor will prescribe anti-HIV drugs and appropriate treatment for you.
   • If you are already taking anti-HIV medications and have a mild rash, your doctor will advise you to continue taking your medications. The rash itself should go away in one or two weeks.
   • Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, such as benadryl or atarax, or a corticosteroid cream to help reduce rashes, especially itching.
2. 2 Get immediate medical attention if your body is covered with a severe rash. A severe rash can be accompanied by other symptoms of infection, such as fever, nausea or vomiting, muscle pain, and mouth ulcers. If you have not yet been tested for HIV, your doctor will take a blood test. Depending on the test results, your doctor will prescribe anti-HIV drugs and appropriate treatment for you.
3. 3 See your doctor if symptoms worsen, especially if they worsen after taking medication. You may develop hypersensitivity to certain medications that make your HIV symptoms worse. Your doctor will advise you to stop taking your medications and prescribe more appropriate treatment. Hypersensitivity symptoms usually resolve within 24 to 48 hours. There are three main classes of anti-HIV drugs that can cause rashes:
   • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)
   • Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
   • Protease inhibitors
   • Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as nevirapine (Viramune), are the most common cause of drug-induced skin rashes. Abacavir (Ziagen) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that can also cause skin rashes. Protease inhibitors such as amprenavir (Agenerase) and tipranavir (Aptivus) also cause rashes.
4. 4 Do not take medications that cause an allergic reaction. If your doctor tells you to stop taking the medicine because it is causing a sensitivity or allergic reaction, do so. Repeated use of this medication may cause an even more severe reaction, which may develop and worsen your condition further.
5. 5 Ask your doctor about bacterial infections that could be causing the rash. Due to a malfunctioning immune system, patients with HIV have an increased incidence of bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus is most common in HIV-infected people and can lead to superficial pyoderma, inflammation and suppuration of hair follicles, cellulitis and ulcers. If you have HIV, ask your doctor to test you for Staphylococcus aureus.

Part 3 of 3: Treating your rash at home

1. 1 Spread some medicated cream on the rash. Your doctor will prescribe an anti-allergic ointment or medicine to relieve itching and other discomfort. You can also treat these symptoms with an over-the-counter antihistamine cream. Apply the cream according to the instructions.
2. 2 Avoid direct sunlight or extreme cold. It is these two factors that provoke the appearance of the rash and can worsen it.
   • If you're going outside, apply sunscreen all over your body or wear long sleeved pants and clothing to protect your skin.
   • Wear a coat and warm clothing when you go outside to protect your skin from the extreme cold.
3. 3 Take a cool shower and bath. Hot water will cause more inflammation. Instead of hot showers and baths, opt for cold baths and cold baths to soothe the rash.
   • When showering or bathing, wash with cool water and do not rub your skin. Immediately after showering or bathing, apply a natural moisturizer to your skin to help it heal. It can be a cream with coconut oil or aloe oil. The upper layer of the skin is porous like a sponge, so applying a moisturizer after stimulating the pores will retain water inside the skin and prevent it from drying out.
4. 4 Switch to a mild soap or herbal shower gel. Chemical soaps can cause skin irritation, dryness and itching. Buy a mild soap (baby or herbal shower gel) at your local pharmacy.
   • Avoid foods that contain substances such as petroleum jelly, methyl, propyl, butyl, ethylparaben, and propylene glycol. These synthetic ingredients can cause skin inflammation and allergic reactions.
   • If you want, make your own shower gel with herbal extract and a natural moisturizer such as olive oil, aloe or almond oil.
   • Apply natural moisturizers immediately after showering or bathing and throughout the day to keep skin hydrated.
5. 5 Wear soft cotton clothing. Wearing synthetic fiber clothing that is breathable can cause sweating and skin irritation.
   • Thick clothing can also chafe the skin and aggravate the rash.
6. 6 Continue to take your antiviral medications. Complete your doctor's prescribed anti-HIV treatment. Provided that you are not allergic to the drug, this will help increase your T-lymphocyte count and relieve symptoms, including a rash.