Skin conditions relating to HIV infection

Author: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2003.

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) are prone to a variety of skin problems because of their acquired immunodeficiency. These may be only seen in HIV-infected individuals, or may be common conditions in the general population.

Viral infections	Rash associated with acute human immunodeficiency virus infection syndrome Herpes simplex (often severe and prolonged) Varicella zoster (may be recurrent) Molluscum contagiosum Human papillomavirus Oral hairy leukoplakia due to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)
Fungal infections	Tinea (all forms) Blastomycosis Candidiasis (may spread to involve oesophagus) Cryptococcosis Histoplasmosis Pityrosporum folliculitis Pityriasis versicolor Systemic mycoses Pneumocystosis (previously classified as protozoa)
Bacterial infections	Cellulitis due to Streptococcal infection Ecthyma, impetigo, folliculitis due to Staphylococcal infection Bacillary angiomatosis Syphilis (genital ulcers increase chance of transmission of HIV) Pitted keratolysis Atypical mycobacteria
Parasitic infection	Leishmaniasis Strongyloidiasis Acanthamebiasis
Arthropod infestations / ectoparasites	Insect bites Scabies Demodicosis
Inflammatory conditions	Seborrhoeic dermatitis Psoriasis (new onset and severe forms, including pustular psoriasis and erythroderma) Eczema Pruritic papular eruption of HIV Eosinophilic folliculitis Mucinoses Granuloma annulare
Malignancies	Kaposi sarcoma Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Skin cancer including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and anal carcinoma
Other skin problems	Malnutrition Adverse effects of drugs including lipodystrophy (eg, morbilliform eruptions, lipodystrophy and xanthomas from antiretroviral therapy) Ichthyosis Aphthous ulcers Photosensitivity reactions including porphyria cutanea tarda and chronic actinic dermatitis Cutaneous vasculitis

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Related information

On DermNet NZ

Other websites

HIV/AIDS medicines — Medline Plus
HIV InSite
AIDS Foundation (New Zealand)
HIV infection BestHealth
HIV/AIDS and STDs — CDC: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
HIV infections World Health Organization
Childhood HIV disease — Medscape
Cutaneous manifestations of HIV disease — Medscape
Early recognition and rapid testing of HIV in emergency medicine — Medscape
HIV/AIDS — EmedicineHealth
Guidelines on the treatment of skin and oral HIV-associated conditions in children and adults — World Health Organization

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