HIV is a serious and incurable disease, the treatment of which is aimed only at improving the quality of life. The disease has many diverse 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, skin rashes are observed in 90% of patients. Some of them are characteristic exclusively for this disease, other types of rash may appear in healthy people, for example, seborrheic dermatitis.
When rashes appear
A rash in the early stages of HIV is the norm, as it is one of the primary signs of the disease. However, dermatitis is not always pronounced, therefore, they can remain without proper attention.
Characteristic for this pathology of the rash:
- Mycotic, that is, the skin is exposed to the fungus, and dermatosis further develops.
- Pyodermatitis are characterized by the appearance of ulcers filled with fluid. The causative agents are staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria.
- Spotted rash, resulting from a malfunction of the vascular system.
- Seborrheic dermatitis with severe peeling.
- Papular rash.
- Malignant neoplasms. Their appearance is characteristic of the active stage of the development of the disease.
Why do rashes appear
A rash with HIV is a result of the destruction of 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 health.
Types of rashes
Any rash with HIV that appears on the background of a viral infection is called exanthema. If the mucous membranes are affected, then such rashes are called enanthema. All of them have completely different factors of occurrence - both exogenous and endogenous in nature.
Enanthemas are characteristic of the early stage of HIV, although they can appear without the presence of this virus. In this case, the rashes are of a slightly different nature. Against the background of the penetration of the virus, the rash is considered to be of uncertain etiology. In principle, any disease associated with the development of HIV has an atypical form of manifestation and course. Skin rashes in patients are very difficult to treat. Patients are characterized by quick addiction to any drugs.
The acute form, regardless of the type of rash associated with HIV, occurs between 2 and 8 weeks. In parallel with skin diseases, other signs of the presence of the virus in the body can be observed:
- Diarrhea.
- Increased sweating.
- Fever.
- Lymphadenopathy
In the beginning, HIV can be confused even with ordinary flu or infectious mononucleosis. If the exacerbation of influenza subsides after a few days, an improvement is observed, then in the presence of the virus, everything happens the other way around. Every day the condition only worsens, rashes become more, papules and herpes may additionally appear.
Mycotic rashes
Most often, such skin lesions appear in the form of candidiasis and / or rubrophyte. Inguinal epidermophytosis or multicolored lichen may occur. There is one factor that combines all of these possible rashes with HIV - rapid spread, and the lesions are usually very large in area. Any part of the body, including the feet and scalp, can be affected. A characteristic feature of such skin lesions is high resistance to almost any treatment, frequent relapses.
With candidiasis, the rash most often affects the oral cavity. It can appear on the mucous membrane of the genitals or in the perianal region. A rash with HIV is typical for men, photos of such lesions are presented in the article. Candidiasis can go into the stage of erosion.
Rubrophytia strongly resembles seborrheic dermatitis. Most often, it affects the palms and / or soles. Microscopic examinations often reveal mycelia.
Multi-colored lichen appears in the form of individual rashes. Over time, the rash takes the form of papules and plaques. Even a small injury (scratch, cut) can become the source of the disease.
Seborrheic dermatitis
This rash with HIV affects more than 50% of all infected individuals. The appearance is characteristic of an early stage of the disease. The clinical picture is very different in different patients. The causative agents of dermatitis are two types of yeast, which 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. At first, dermatitis is observed on the face, most often around the mouth and eyes, then spreads to the scalp, limbs (at the elbows, under the knees).
Viral lesions
If it is herpes, then with HIV it is often localized on the genitals and in nearby areas of the body. The disease proceeds with constant relapses, in some people even without remissions. Often erosion and ulcers appear, the state of wounds is characterized by soreness. The appearance of such a rash with HIV in men in the anus may indicate infection with homosexual connections.
Herpes zoster is quite difficult to diagnose, often accompanied by persistent lymphadenopathy. If relapses begin, then we can talk about the last stage of the disease.
Cytomegalovirus rarely affects the mucous membranes and skin, but is the cause of damage to internal organs and tissues. The presence of the disease often indicates an unfavorable prognosis of the course of the disease.
Molluscum contagiosum most often appears on the skin of the face. The disease proceeds with constant relapses.
Often there is the appearance of vulgar warts and genital warts, which grow very quickly.
Pyoderma or purulent rash
This is a fairly large group of diseases. It can appear in the form of impetigo, folliculitis, ecthema.
Acneiform folliculitis usually appears at an early stage. If you look at the photo of the rash with HIV, then it strongly resembles youthful acne. Most often appears on the back, chest and face. Later it can spread throughout the body. Diffuse erythema may be a precursor of folliculitis. The rash is very itchy.
For impetiginous rashes, localization on the neck and beard is characteristic. Over time, they dry out, turning into densely arranged crusts of yellow color.
Vegetative pyoderma outwardly resembles condylomas. Most often, the rash appears in large skin folds. The effect of antibacterial agents is noticeable only in the early stages of HIV.
Sarcoma Kaposi
An 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 has a bright color and appears on the neck, face, genitals, on the trunk and in the oral cavity, that is, in atypical places for sarcoma. In almost every case, internal organs and lymph nodes are affected. At risk are infected young people. The last stage of sarcoma occurs in 1.5–2 years of illness. With the transition of HIV to AIDS in patients, sarcoma is observed in the terminal stage, which is characterized by the appearance of tumors 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 the vessels. Spots often appear on the chest.
Papular eruptions
Such damage to the skin is characterized by a dense texture and shape in the form of a hemisphere. The color of the rash may not differ from the color of the skin or have a reddish tint. If you look at the photo of the rash with HIV in women and men, you can see that the damaged skin elements are completely isolated from each other and never merge.
A characteristic place of distribution is the area of the neck and head, limbs and upper body. The rashes are itchy and can be represented by individual elements or hundreds of pieces.
Acne and Acne
Despite the fact that acne and acne are not a separate disease, in the presence of HIV it is very difficult to cope with such a problem. They quickly spread throughout the body, appear in places completely unusual for such a rash.
Genital warts
Such a rash is a very common symptom of severe HIV infection. Warts appear predominantly in the anorectal region. At first they are small in size, then they grow and become knotty. If their integrity is violated, fluid may be released. In this case, it is possible to conduct a cryotherapy or curettage procedure. In some cases, it is necessary to resort to surgical excision.
Undoubtedly, the treatment of any rash or other disease with HIV is a rather difficult task. But all necessary measures must be taken. They will allow at least to alleviate the condition of the patient and reduce the area of affected skin areas.