HIV is a serious and incurable disease, the therapy of which is aimed only at improving the quality of life. The disease has a wide variety of manifestations, including skin rashes. In this case, dermatitis is not a separate pathology, but refers to concomitant diseases, therefore it is difficult to treat. In the presence of the HIV virus in the body, 90% of patients experience skin rashes. Some of them are characteristic only for this disease, other types of rash can appear in he althy people, for example, seborrheic dermatitis.
When rashes appear
Rash in the early stages of HIV is normal, as it is one of the primary signs of the disease. However, dermatitis is not always pronounced, so it can be left without due attention.
Rashes characteristic of this pathology:
- Mycotic, that is, the skin is exposed to the fungus, and further dermatosis develops.
- Pyodermatitis is characterized by the appearance of fluid-filled abscesses. The causative agents are staphylococcal and streptococcalbacteria.
- A spotted rash resulting from a malfunction of the vascular system.
- Seborrheic dermatitis with severe flaking.
- Papular rash.
- Malignant neoplasms. Their appearance is characteristic of the active stage of the development of the disease.
Why do rashes appear
HIV rash is the result of a breakdown in the immune system. The virus makes the body vulnerable to almost any bacteria and viruses. Therefore, in this situation, problems with the skin are a kind of “bell” that an irreversible process has begun in the body.
The nature and types of rash largely depend on the stage of the disease, the patient's age and general he alth.
Types of rashes
Any HIV rash caused by a viral infection is called an exanthema. If the mucous membranes are affected, then such rashes are called enanthems. All of them have completely different factors of occurrence - both exogenous and endogenous.
Enanthems are characteristic of the early stage of HIV, although they can appear without the presence of this virus. In this case, the rashes have a slightly different character. Against the background of the penetration of the virus, the rash is considered of uncertain etiology. In principle, any disease associated with the development of HIV has an atypical form of manifestation and course. Skin rash in patients is very difficult to treat. Patients are characterized by rapid addiction to any drugs.
Acute form, no matter what kind of HIV rash,falls on the period from 2 to 8 weeks. In parallel with skin diseases, other signs of the presence of a virus in the body may be observed:
- Diarrhea.
- Increased sweating.
- Feverish condition.
- Lymphadenopathy.
Initially, HIV disease can be confused even with the common flu or mononucleosis of infectious origin. If the exacerbation of the flu subsides after a few days, there is an improvement in the condition, then in the presence of the virus, everything happens the other way around. Every day the condition only worsens, there are more rashes, papules, herpes may additionally appear.
Mycotic eruptions
Most often, such skin lesions appear in the form of candidiasis and/or rubrophytosis. Athlete's groin or tinea versicolor may occur. There is one factor that unites all these possible rashes with HIV - the rapid spread, and the lesions, as a rule, are very large in area. Any part of the body can be affected, up to the feet and scalp. A characteristic feature of such skin lesions is high resistance to almost any treatment, frequent relapses.
When candidiasis rash most often affects the mouth. It can appear on the mucous membrane of the genital organs or in the perianal region. A rash with HIV for men is characteristic, photos of such lesions are presented in the article. Candidiasis may progress to the stage of erosions.
Rubrophytia strongly resembles seborrheic dermatitis. It most commonly affects the palms and/or soles. Microscopic examination often reveals mycelia.
Pityriasis versicolor appears as separate rashes. Over time, the rash takes the form of papules and plaques. Even a minor injury (scratch, cut) can become the source of the disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This HIV rash affects more than 50% of all infected individuals. The appearance is characteristic of the early stage of the disease. The clinical picture varies greatly from patient to patient. The causative agents of dermatitis are two types of yeast that are present on the skin in 90% of the total population. In infected individuals, the activation of microbes occurs against the background of a decrease in immunity.
First, plaques and red spots appear. The surface of the rash is covered with hemorrhagic crusts. Initially, dermatitis is observed on the face, most often around the mouth and eyes, then spreads to the scalp, to the limbs (in the elbows, under the knees).
Viral lesions
If it is herpes, then with HIV it is often localized on the genitals and on nearby parts of the body. The disease proceeds with constant relapses, in some people even without remissions. Erosions and ulcers often appear, the condition of the wounds is characterized by soreness. The appearance of such a rash with HIV in men in the anus may indicate infection during homosexual relationships.
Herpes zoster is quite difficult to diagnose, often accompanied by persistent lymphadenopathy. If relapses begin, then we can talk about the last stagediseases.
Cytomegalovirus rarely affects mucous membranes and skin, but causes damage to internal organs and tissues. The presence of the disease often indicates an unfavorable prognosis for the course of the disease.
Molluscum contagiosum most often appears on the skin of the face. The disease proceeds with constant relapses.
Vulgar warts and condylomas are often observed, which grow very quickly.
Pyodermatitis or purulent rash
This is a fairly large group of diseases. It can manifest itself in the form of impetigo, folliculitis, ectema.
Acneiform folliculitis usually appears at an early stage. If you look at the photo of the rash with HIV, then it strongly resembles juvenile acne. Most often appears on the back, chest and face. Later, it can spread throughout the body. Diffuse erythema may be a precursor to folliculitis. The rash is very itchy.
For impetiginous rashes, localization on the neck and beard is characteristic. Over time, they dry out, turning into dense yellow crusts.
Vegetative pyoderma looks like warts. Most often, the rash appears in large skin folds. The effect of antibacterial agents is noticeable only in the early stages of HIV.
Kaposi's sarcoma
The HIV rash in women and men called Kaposi's sarcoma is an undeniable sign of the presence of the disease. There are two types of sarcoma: dermal and visceral.
In this disease, the rash hasbright color and appears on the neck, face, genitals, trunk and mouth, that is, in atypical places for sarcoma. In almost every case, the internal organs and lymph nodes are affected. At risk are infected young people. The last stage of sarcoma falls on 1.5–2 years of the disease. With the transition of HIV to AIDS, patients have a sarcoma in the terminal stage, which is characterized by the appearance of neoplasms in large numbers.
Rashes with impaired vascular function
Such a rash appears on the mucous membranes and skin. But the most dangerous thing is that these multiple hemorrhagic rashes appear against the background of a violation of the normal functioning of blood vessels. Spots often appear on the chest.
Papular rashes
Such damage to the skin is characterized by a dense texture and a hemispherical shape. The color of the rash may not differ from the color of the skin or may have a reddish tint. If you look at the photo of the HIV rash in women and men, you can see that the damaged skin elements are absolutely isolated from each other and never merge.
The typical site of distribution is the neck and head, limbs and upper body. The rashes are itchy and can be presented by individual elements or hundreds of pieces.
Acne and pimples
Despite the fact that acne and blackheads are not a separate disease, in the presence of HIV, such a problem is very difficult to deal with. They are fastspread throughout the body, appearing in places completely unusual for such a rash.
Genital Warts
This rash is a very common symptom of severe HIV. Warts appear mainly in the anorectal region. At first they are small in size, then they increase and become nodular. If their integrity is violated, liquid may be released. In this case, it is possible to carry out the procedure of cryotherapy or curettage. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical excision.
Undoubtedly, the treatment of any rash or other disease on the background of HIV is a rather difficult task. But it is necessary to take all necessary measures. They will at least alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the area of the affected skin.
