A rash is a fairly common symptom of HIV infection. In most cases, it is one of the first indicators of the disease and develops within 2-3 weeks of infection with the virus. However, rashes can also be due to other, even less dangerous factors, such as allergic reactions or skin diseases. If in doubt, you should go to the doctor to have HIV tests done; in this way you will be sure of receiving the right treatment for your condition.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of HIV Rash
Step 1. Check if the rashes are red, slightly raised and very itchy
Generally those caused by HIV form spots and dots on the skin, red in fair-skinned people and a deep purple color in dark-skinned people.
- The severity of the symptoms is very subjective and varies from person to person. Sometimes the rash is very severe and covers large areas of skin, while in other cases only minor rashes occur.
- If the HIV rash results from taking antiviral drugs, it usually looks like raised, reddish lesions that cover the whole body. This is referred to as an iatrogenic or drug-induced rash.
Step 2. Check for rashes on the shoulders, chest, face, upper body and hands
These are the areas of the body where rashes from HIV typically occur; however, they tend to disappear on their own within a few weeks - some people even confuse them with allergic reactions or eczema.
Keep in mind that they are not contagious and there is no risk of passing the virus through these rashes
Step 3. Pay attention to other symptoms that may occur in conjunction with HIV rashes
Among these consider:
- Nausea and vomit;
- Sores in the mouth
- Fever;
- Diarrhea;
- Muscle aches;
- Cramps and general pain
- Swollen glands
- Blurred or confused vision
- Lack of appetite;
- Joint pains.
Step 4. Know the cause
These HIV outbreaks are the result of the noticeable drop in white blood cells in the body; they can occur at any stage of infection but usually occur 2-3 weeks after contracting the virus. This stage is called seroconversion and occurs when infection can be detected through a blood test. Some people do not go through this stage and develop HIV rashes in an advanced stage of the disease.
- Such outbreaks may also be due to an allergic reaction to drugs to treat the disease. Some medicines such as amprenavir, abacavir and nevirapine can actually trigger skin rashes.
- During the third stage of the infection, you may suffer from skin problems due to dermatitis. In this case the skin is pink or reddish and itchy; the disease lasts up to 1-3 years and usually occurs on the groin, armpits, chest, face and back.
- HIV outbreaks can also occur if you have herpes and are HIV positive.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Medical Treatment
Step 1. Get tested for HIV if you have moderate outbreaks
If you have never taken the test before, your doctor may decide to have you do a blood test to check for the virus. If the result is negative, the doctor can determine that your skin problems are due to an allergic reaction to food or other factors. It could also be an ailment such as eczema.
- If you test positive for HIV, he will prescribe medications and treatments for the virus.
- If you are already taking these medications and the breakouts are moderate, your doctor will ask you to continue medication as they should go away within 1-2 weeks.
- To reduce the discomfort caused by these skin reactions, especially if they are itchy, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Atarax, or corticosteroid ointments.
Step 2. Seek immediate medical attention if the rashes are severe
In this case, they may occur on their own or with other symptoms of the infection, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and sores in the mouth. If you've never had an HIV test before, your doctor will ask you to do a blood test to check for the virus. Depending on the results, he or she may prescribe medications and antiviral treatments.
Step 3. See your doctor if symptoms get worse, especially after taking medications
You may develop hypersensitivity to some active ingredients and HIV symptoms - including rashes - may become worse. In this case, the doctor will advise you to stop the treatment and prescribe alternative medications. Symptoms of hypersensitivity usually disappear within 24 to 48 hours. The main classes of HIV drugs that can cause dermatological reactions are listed below:
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI);
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs);
- Protease inhibitors (PIs).
- NNRTIs, such as nevirapine, are primarily responsible for iatrogenic skin rashes, as is abacavir (Ziagen), which is instead an NRTI. PIs, such as amprenavir (Agenerase) and tipranavir (Aptivus), fall into another class of drugs that can also cause skin rashes.
Step 4. Do not take any medications that could trigger allergic reactions
If your doctor advises you to stop taking certain medicines because of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions you are experiencing, do not continue therapy. If you don't stop it, you could experience more severe reactions that could progress to a much worse problem.
Part 3 of 3: Treating Rashes at Home
Step 1. Apply medicated creams to the breakouts
Your doctor may prescribe allergy medications or creams to relieve discomfort and itching. You can also purchase over-the-counter antihistamine ointments to help reduce symptoms. Apply the product following the directions on the package.
Step 2. Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight or too low temperatures
Both of these factors can trigger HIV rashes or aggravate them if they are already present.
- If you have to go outside, spread sunscreen on your body to protect it or wear long-sleeved clothing or long pants.
- Put on your coat and warm clothing when you go out in the winter, so as not to expose yourself to too low temperatures.
Step 3. Take a cold bath or shower
The high temperature can further irritate the skin. Avoid washing with hot water and instead opt for a cold bath or sponge to soothe your skin.
Alternatively, you can use lukewarm water during a bath or shower by patting your skin rather than rubbing it. As soon as you get out of the shower or bath, apply a completely natural moisturizer, such as a cream with coconut oil or aloe vera, to facilitate the healing process. The outer layer of the epidermis is like a sponge, therefore, by applying a moisturizer after stimulating the pores, you allow it to retain the moisture of the water and avoid drying the skin
Step 4. Choose a mild soap or herbal cleanser
Chemicals can irritate the skin and cause dryness and itching. Look for neutral cleansers, such as baby soap, or natural herbal products at your local pharmacy.
- Avoid products that contain chemicals like petroleum jelly, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylene glycol. They are all synthetic elements that can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
- If you wish, you can make an herbal cleanser yourself with natural moisturizers such as olive or almond oil and aloe vera.
- Make sure you apply a completely natural product right after a bath or shower and throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated.
Step 5. Wear lightweight cotton clothing
Those made with synthetic fibers or non-breathable material cause more sweating, consequently the skin becomes more irritated.
Clothes that are too tight can also rub against the skin and aggravate rashes
Step 6. Continue taking antiviral medications
Let the medications prescribed by your doctor take effect. Treatment helps improve T-cell counts and reduce symptoms, such as rashes from HIV, as long as you don't experience allergic reactions to drugs.
