HIV Rash

What is HIV Rash?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the primary virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The most significant symptoms of the said condition are HIV rash. These rashes occur 2-4 weeks immediately after a person is infected with the virus. Some situation about these rashes is they are also caused by the drug treatment used to combat or control the spreading of the virus. The rate of skin rashes to occur is up to 90-95% chances and duration.

HIV Rash Signs and Symptoms

You should be cautious enough to identify the HIV rash from any other skin conditions. Remember that not all skin rashes are HIV rash. It could be something different skin conditions. The signs and symptoms include:

Rashes appears mostly on face, trunks, feet, hands and worst on the whole body
Swollen glands
Excessive Fatigue
Body pain
Loss of memory
Joint pains
Regular fever (unexplainable occurrence)
Brownish to red skin bulging just like an eczema rash (for whiter skin complexion)
Purplish to brown-black skin bulging (for darker complexion)
Skin irritations
Itchy bumps
HIV rashes from herpes infection causes blisters with fluid inside appears in the eyes, mouth and other body parts
Weakened Immune System
Diarrhea
Headache
Weight loss
Eye complications
Acne and pimples occurs around the blisters (folliculitis)
Genital sores
Skin peeling may experience
Flu
Loss of appetite
Enlarged lymph nodes
Fungal and viral infection may experience
Flaky skin due to the rashes
Bruises around the skin
Warts in any parts of the skin
Mouth sores or lesion
Pink and scaly skin
Large patch of hives around the skin
HIV rash appears also due to medication use

HIV Rash Causes

When the HIV reaches to stage 3 which is the “symptomatic stage” the concentration and prevalence of the rashes are very high. The rashes are caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus from an affected person. Medications like abacavir, amprenavir and nevirapine that is used to weaken the immune system can trigger allergic reaction and causes rashes.

HIV Rash Treatment

Proper and right diagnosis of this kind of condition targets the proper treatment. The rashes can be eradicated by these treatments:

Over-the-counter drugs to alleviate skin irritations and itchiness
Continued used of this OTC’s will subside the irritations
Do not continue medication if it causing HIV rashes
Consult your physician regarding the medications used
Do not expose to climates that is too hot nor too cold
Avoid extreme heat of the sun or direct ultraviolet rays from the sun
Have a cool shower every day and apply skin ointment
Avoid hot baths and showers
Do not eat foods that are prohibited for HIV infected person
Do not engage in unprotected sex to people with the same condition or at high risk level person
Avoid direct blood contact
Hydrocortisone and Benadryl drugs are proven to relieve itchiness
Do not wear tight-fitting clothes to avoid aggravation of itchiness
Regular check-ups is also advised to monitor patient prognosis
Timely diagnosis can help in the prevention of the spreading of the infection
Caution to drugs used for any reverse reaction

How Long Does HIV Rash stay?

In early sign of HIV infection it usually vanishes within 1-2 weeks and completely vanishes in the asymptomatic stage of the condition. For symptomatic stage it usually appears for 1-3 years.