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Are reddish, itchy skin rashes linked to HIV infection?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been away to abroad and developed skin rashes all over my stomach and legs. There are red dots everywhere and it is very itchy.

I am worried it could be linked to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)?

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have developed maculopapular erythematous lesions with itching, which can occur in multiple conditions. Please inform whether the lesions are also in the finger webs and the genital area.

If there is intense itching, one of the differential diagnoses is scabies. Have you undergone an HIV test anytime? If not, get it done by an accredited laboratory to learn your status.

Please revert with complete information.

Take care.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I am bringing up this problem, which was a year ago, as I saw something on Google about rashes linked to HIV and got worried about the rash I had. My whole body was extremely itchy after a week and then these red dots appeared, which were only on my stomach and legs but, not in finger webs or genital areas.

I do not know what caused it. I went to the pharmacist, and I got back home. She was unsure and gave me allergy tablets around a week ago, but they all cleared up. I have not had an HIV test, and I have just been reading about rashes caused by contracting the virus, and got worried that HIV is what caused the rashes to come.

Kindly help.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good that your rash subsided. For HIV transmission, there has to be a source. The routes are sexual transmission, transmission from infected syringes, blood transfusions, and an infected pregnant mother can transmit to the child during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding.

If you think you had an exposure, you can get an HIV test; otherwise, there was nothing in particular about the rash to suggest HIV, only on this basis.

Take care.

Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.
Published At February 19, 2020
Reviewed AtJuly 17, 2025

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