For some people with HIV, skin conditions are one of the most obvious signs of infection. Skin conditions can appear in the earliest stage of HIV, but may increase in frequency as the disease progresses. 

HIV weakens your immune system, so your body is more likely to develop infection since it can’t fight disease effectively. Common skin conditions that people with HIV experience include:

-Bacterial infections
-Viral infections
-Fungal infections
-Parasitic infections
-Inflammatory dermatitis (rashes)
-Skin cancer

Inflammatory dermatitis can take many forms, and it’s common for people with HIV. Dermatitis can appear like areas of dry skin or red and itchy patches. Some examples of skin infections that people with HIV may contract include syphilis, oral thrush, and shingles.

Another condition that can develop if you have HIV is lipodystrophy. HIV can cause fat distribution in the body to change, resulting in fat loss around the face or fat buildup between the shoulder blades or elsewhere.

Taking antiretroviral medications for HIV generally helps reduce the number of skin conditions that people with HIV develop. Along with taking medication, getting regular skin exams and seeking treatment for specific skin conditions can help them from getting worse. For patients bothered by fat loss from HIV lipodystrophy,