HIV skin rash is quite common and affects about 90% of people with HIV. Some types of skin rashes are mild and harmless, but others can be dangerous. One of them is a rash caused by an allergy to anti-HIV drugs.
HIV skin rash is a condition that generally occurs in the first two months after a person is infected with the HIV virus. The HIV skin rash can cause the skin to itch and form a flat red area with small bumps around it. However, in dark-skinned people, the rash tends to be purple in color. HIV skin rashes can appear all over the body. 
Causes of HIV Skin Rash
In the early days of HIV infection, the rash may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. These rashes and early symptoms will generally subside within two weeks.
Besides being an early symptom, skin rashes in people with HIV can be triggered by side effects of treatment. Some HIV drugs that can cause rashes are:
- Protease inhibitors (PIs), such as amprenavir and tipranavir.
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), such as abacavir.
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), such as nevirapine.
Some types of HIV skin rash are mild and harmless. But if the rash is due to an allergic reaction to taking anti-HIV drugs, the condition can be dangerous and requires immediate treatment. Allergic reactions when taking anti-HIV drugs can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome, even toxic epidermal necrolysis.
HIV Skin Rash Treatment
People with HIV are advised to immediately see a doctor if they experience a skin rash accompanied by swelling of the face and tongue, skin pain, or blisters appear around the eyes, mouth, nose, or other skin areas.
The doctor will examine the skin rash experienced by people with HIV and provide appropriate treatment. Common treatments given by doctors to treat the rash include:
Drug administration
Several types of drugs, such as antihistamines and hydrocortisone creams, can be used to treat mild rashes. However, if the rash is quite extensive, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms and complaints, special treatment and handling may be required.
Lifestyle changes
Not only giving medication, lifestyle changes also need to be made to prevent rashes from appearing. People with HIV are advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight, because it can increase the risk of developing a rash. In addition to direct sun exposure, also avoid bathing with warm water.
Beware of allergies or infections as a trigger for the rash
Skin rashes in people with HIV can be caused by allergies, molluscum contagiosum, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Beware of rashes caused by these things because they are dangerous.
Always consult a doctor if a rash appears while you are taking HIV treatment, and do not stop taking the drug without consulting first. Also talk to your doctor if you want to use over-the-counter medications, such as hydrocortisone and antihistamines, to treat HIV skin rashes.