Almost 90 percent of people with HIV develop skin changes like skin rashes and lesions at some stage during the course of their disease. HIV rash can be very distressing for HIV patients because these rashes can be quite noticeable and can be very embarrassing. So, the question is, are these HIV rashes easier to treat?
HIV rash is a common symptom of HIV infection. Approximately 85% of HIV positive individuals will experience HIV rash because of acute HIV infection, weakened immune system caused by chronic infection and an adverse reaction to HIV medication.
These rashes usually occurs due to a decrease number of white blood cells in the body. HIV rash can occur at any stage of infection but generally, you notice it 2-3 weeks after you have contracted the virus. This phase is called seroconversion, which is when the infection becomes detectable via a blood test.
Here’s how to recognize the symptoms of HIV rash.
1. When an individual is infected with HIV, one may suffer from HIV rash. The rash will mostly affect the upper part of the body, on the shoulders, chest area, face, torso and palms of the hands. These spots may be shameful but the rash tends to disappear by itself within a few weeks and these are definitely non transmittable. Hence, there is no risk to transmit HIV through these rashes.
- If a rash is caused by the side effects of medications, it is advisable to stop taking these drugs to prevent rashes from forming.
- Direct sunlight, cold climate or extreme heat –these are triggering factors for HIV rashes. To get rid of HIV rashes, one should avoid all these.
- Avoid taking hot showers or baths, hot water worsens the case. Instead, it is advisable to have cold water baths.
- Unprotected sex, blood transfusion or any fluid of the body should be avoided to come in contact with the other person.
- Wearing soft cotton clothes is advisable. Tight fitting attire may worsen the case of HIV rash.
- Try to avoid bathing with chemical based soap. Instead, go for herbal body wash.
- In order to heal and treat HIV rash other than drug over reaction, let main medicine course (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy – HAART) to improve t-cell count continue. This may help treat the symptoms like HIV rash as well.
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