What Do Blisters on the Hands Look Like in the Early Stages of AIDS?
Jun 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Blisters generally refer to vesicles. In the early stages of HIV infection, blisters on the hands typically exhibit characteristics of either herpes simplex or herpes zoster. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a reputable hospital. In daily life, patients should maintain good hand hygiene, avoid contact with allergens and irritants, and reduce the occurrence and worsening of blisters.
Blisters usually refer to vesicles. In general, hand blisters during the early stage of AIDS typically exhibit characteristics of either herpes simplex or herpes zoster. If discomfort symptoms appear, timely consultation and treatment at a regular hospital are recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Vesicles resembling herpes simplex often appear either clustered or scattered, with diameters of approximately 1-5 mm. The blister fluid is usually clear, surrounded by mild redness. Initial symptoms may include itching, dull pain, sharp pain, or burning sensation. After about one week, erosion, exudation, drying, crusting, and resolution may occur, although recurrence is common. In contrast, herpes zoster–like vesicles present with tense, shiny blister walls and obvious surrounding redness, accompanied by pain. The rash may take 2-4 weeks to resolve and may leave behind red marks or scars. These types of blisters are mostly caused by herpes virus infection. However, it's important to note that early symptoms of AIDS lack specificity. Hand blisters are more likely to be associated with skin conditions such as contact dermatitis, eczema, or tinea manuum. If such symptoms appear along with risk factors for infection, timely medical consultation and testing are necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
In daily life, patients should maintain good hand hygiene and avoid contact with allergens and irritants to reduce the occurrence and worsening of blisters.
