What Does an HIV Rash Look Like?

Rashes in HIV-infected individuals commonly occur on the trunk, face, and upper limbs. For instance, papules of varying shapes and irregular distribution may appear on the arms or thighs. These papules typically present as small, dark, slightly raised, rough-surfaced patches with well-defined borders from the surrounding skin. In fair-skinned patients, the rash often appears reddish-brown; in darker-skinned individuals, it may appear purplish or black. Palpation or pressure over the lesions is usually painful. Clinically, HIV-associated rashes are broadly categorized into infectious, non-infectious, and tumor-related rashes; however, none of these types is pathognomonic.