Does AIDS cause skin diseases?

Whether HIV causes skin diseases depends on the status of immune function. When immune function is not severely impaired, specific skin conditions typically do not occur; however, if immunity is severely compromised, various infectious or tumorous skin problems may arise and require targeted interventions.

When an HIV patient maintains relatively good immune function, their skin condition generally does not differ significantly from that of healthy individuals. Common issues such as eczema or acne may still occur, but these are not directly related to HIV and are more often caused by factors like allergies or abnormal sebum production. Such conditions can usually be relieved with gentle cleansing and routine skincare, including moisturization.

If immune function is severely impaired, the body becomes vulnerable to pathogen invasion, leading to infectious skin diseases such as herpes zoster or molluscum contagiosum—manifesting as blisters along nerve pathways or dome-shaped papules. Additionally, skin tumors like Kaposi's sarcoma may develop, appearing as purple or red skin lesions, requiring antiviral medications or specific treatments for control.

Daily skin protection is essential: use lukewarm water to cleanse the skin, wear loose and breathable clothing, and avoid scratching to prevent skin damage. Consistently following standardized HIV treatment to maintain immune function and closely monitoring any skin changes allow for timely intervention when abnormalities occur, thereby reducing the risk of skin complications.