Here are some of the 3 more common skin conditions associated with HIV/AIDS First: Hives
About 2-6 weeks after the HIV virus invades the body, about 40-90% of patients develop red, itchy blotches all over the body, and these are the more typical symptoms. However, these symptoms can be easily confused with common internal diseases such as hives or liver and kidney toxicity.
In the early stages of HIV infection, which can cause hives called acute retroviral syndrome, this is not just any hives but a sign of HIV infection, when the body activates the immune system to fight off the virus that is causing the hives all over the body. This is called the seroconversion phase. Some patients may not see the rash during this period, but it appears later in the course of infection with the virus.
People infected with HIV will have discolored skin, with red spots in whites and dark purple spots in dark-skinned people.
Depending on the severity of the disease, these spots appear in different locations. In severe cases, the rash covers a large area of skin, while in mild cases, the rash appears on only a small area of skin.
HIV-infected people who take antiretroviral drugs and have an allergic reaction may develop "chromosomal erythema," which is a slightly elevated red spot that covers the entire body.
The rash is usually located on the face, shoulders, chest, hands, and upper body. These are the places where the rash often appears after HIV infection, and many people mistake this for a symptom of allergies or eczema; usually these spots disappear after a few weeks and there is no risk of transmission. In rare cases, these rashes can appear on the lips, inside the mouth and on the genitals.
The second type: contagious molluscum contagiosum
This is a highly contagious viral skin infection that can be spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact,**** with a bed sheet, or simply touching the same object. Molluscum contagiosum causes pink or flesh-colored bumps on the skin. In people with HIV/AIDS, outbreaks of more than 100 bumps may occur.
While these bumps are usually harmless, they won't go away without treatment if people have AIDS. Doctors may choose to freeze the lumps with liquid nitrogen or destroy them with lasers or topical ointments. Treatment is usually repeated every 6 weeks or so until they disappear.
Third: Herpes viruses
Several types of herpes viruses are common in people with AIDS, and herpes simplex virus infections can cause sores in the genital area or around the mouth. Herpes zoster virus infection is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It can also lead to shingles, an extremely painful blistering rash on one side of the body, and herpes virus infections are usually treated with antiviral medications.