Folliculitis and other rashes:

[jm1953]

Hey Members:

I am a long termer who posted on this thread earlier concerning weird skin issues.  Got some very supportive responses back with some great tips that I have tried.  My main complaint are outbreaks of folliculitis which mostly on my upper torso which can be really annoying.  I've had two biopsies which show I have suppurative folliculitis.  Also have patches of acne on my back and some redness like I've been out in the sun.

Nothing has seemed to work, so I went to my derm yesterday and asked her if I could try either fluocinonide cream USP 0.05% or triamcindone acetonide cream which seem to have worked for other members.  She wouldn't prescribe them, just said to moisturize more.  And use this acne medicine she gave me.  I don't know what she thinks I have to lose.  Usually my primary end up prescribing them.

Knowing what is the cause of these skin problems would be a start.  I've changed my HIV meds finding out I was allergic to an ingredient in them.  Found out I have a number of food allergies so my diet has completely changed.  Use free and clear, fragrance free everything.  Nothing seems to help.

I have never had this many skin problems in the 22 years of being positive than during the past year.  Seems strange they appear now.

My CD 4s are stable around 700 and viral load below 50 so I think my numbers are high enough to not be a contributing factor to this.  My Absolute CD 8 are a bit off the charts though.  And tests have shown my auto immune system is o.k. based on tests for lupus and regular check ups for my thyroid.  A mystery indeed!

Just get frustrated as I'm sure other members do.  

I am going to contact the local University Medical School HIV research facility to see if I can perhaps see someone there.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.  

Best,

JM

[veritas]

jm1953,

I saw your post has not been answered, so I thought I'd tell you what I use to heal and moisturize my skin. Skin issues can be difficult to solve . Trial and error , unfortunately , is necessary since all our chemistries are different.

What I use is a silver topical called ASAP made by American Biotec Labs. I mail order the product.
Here is some info if you would like to try it. I have had good results:

http://www.americanbiotechlabs.com/ultimate-skin-body-care.html

Good luck,

v

[poet]

The only answer I can come up with is to, as usual, keep an open mind and keep asking questions: could it be this or could it be that?  Last Summer, I had an ongoing problem, what would start as a tiny white postule which would then enlarge with an encircling red area and the feeling that my skin was trying to squeeze the postule (causing swelling in the area).  It reminded me of a drug reaction I had had back in the 1980's, a med which was then discontinued.  I mentioned this to my doctor.  We didn't change meds.  The problem disappeared once the weather got cold.

Now, was it drug related?  Was it a spider which bit me from time to time?  Was it connected to the weather?  Was it something connected to the homeless shelter where I work, where we know we have all sorts of things like bed bugs from time to time?  Will the problem come back this Summer?  The best I can do with this, the skin cancer (?) spots which pop up, the this or the that is to note them, show them and watch them. 

I hope that you get answers from the University. 

[Moffie65]

JM,

Gotta tell ya, that this is one of my most annoying sides of HIV, and has been with me for most of my 26 years with this bug.

I got victory over folliculitis, a real infection of the hair follicles, suffered especially by the hairy segment of the HIV population. 

My answer and real solution is to get some Clorhexidine Gluconate 4% solution.  This is a common type of soap that is only available from your doctor or in a hospital.  It is the soap that is used to disinfect before surgery.  I get mine from the VA and my Dr gives it to me because it is in the examining room.  I have found that this works not only on the body but against the instructions, on the genitals also.  I use it on my scalp and everywhere I have hair follicles.  As a general rule, I use it when I have more outbreaks, which in my case is the summer.  However, it can be used anytime, and WILL extinguish folliculitis completely.  You might have to use it more than once, and I usually have to use it for three days to get rid of a huge outbreak, but if used occasionally, outbreaks will be a thing of the past. 

I know you have been given other ideas, but this one has been proven to work for me and several friends in the past.  Remember, this is not available over the counter, and you will have to get it from the doctor.

Good luck to you JM, and I hope you have victory over this very annoying side effect, that doesn't seem to have any solution. 

[jm1953]

Thanks guys for the information.  I appreciate your recommendations of things to try, and I definitely will.

I'm finding I'm kind of on my own searching for solutions to this one except for those members like you who offer their recommendations.  Honestly I think my derm and primary have just given up.  So I guess we have to take matters into our own hands.  That is why I thought maybe going to the University Medical School may bring out the big guns.

It seems skin problems are pretty common among people with HIV/AIDS. 

Sharing our stories, and seeing what treatments work for some, and learning treatments that don't work for others has really helped me!

Thanks again guys,

JM

[Andy99]

JM,

Gotta tell ya, that this is one of my most annoying sides of HIV, and has been with me for most of my 26 years with this bug.

I got victory over folliculitis, a real infection of the hair follicles, suffered especially by the hairy segment of the HIV population. 

My answer and real solution is to get some Clorhexidine Gluconate 4% solution.  This is a common type of soap that is only available from your doctor or in a hospital.  It is the soap that is used to disinfect before surgery.  I get mine from the VA and my Dr gives it to me because it is in the examining room.  I have found that this works not only on the body but against the instructions, on the genitals also.  I use it on my scalp and everywhere I have hair follicles.  As a general rule, I use it when I have more outbreaks, which in my case is the summer.  However, it can be used anytime, and WILL extinguish folliculitis completely.  You might have to use it more than once, and I usually have to use it for three days to get rid of a huge outbreak, but if used occasionally, outbreaks will be a thing of the past. 

I know you have been given other ideas, but this one has been proven to work for me and several friends in the past.  Remember, this is not available over the counter, and you will have to get it from the doctor.

Good luck to you JM, and I hope you have victory over this very annoying side effect, that doesn't seem to have any solution. 

Thought I'd give this a shot, If you live in the U.K. you do not need a prescription to buy it, I found it very easy to buy from this website http://www.midmeds.co.uk/hydrex-surgical-scrub-500ml-p-2101.html pretty cheap as well at £3.51 a bottle inc VAT

Andy

[dixieman]

Moffie65... thank you for the information on folliculitis... I have had problems for years... taken antibiotics for relief and finally your suggestion has been a blessing. I'm going to have a long talk with my doctor on this matter... all doctors I have sought relief from basically said theres not much to be done... and just blew it off even my dermatologist? Again thank you for your information... its worked wonders!

[jm1953]

Thanks Moffie65 and Andy:

Going to see if I can order this online.  If not try to get a prescription.

Thanks a bunch,  this may be the answer to my prayers!!!!!!

Best,

Jeff

[dixieman]

Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4%... has many manufactored names... Baxter is one... and Hibiclens is another... they can be bought over the counter without a prescription... Great products... just read the directions...

[jm1953]

Got Hibiclense in my medicine cabinet.  Never would have put two and two together unless  you had pointed it out.  Thanks a bunch.....

[Andy99]

Thought I'd leave an update. The Clorhexidine Gluconate 4% solution gave me a 100% improvement after a couple of weeks, but I think I've still got some issues with Demodex so i'm going to try 5% Permetherin (cheapest in the UK is here http://pharmacy1stop.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=3454&cat=164, I've just ordered 2 for less than £6 including UK delivery

[jm1953]

Thought I'd leave an update. The Clorhexidine Gluconate 4% solution gave me a 100% improvement after a couple of weeks, but I think I've still got some issues with Demodex so i'm going to try 5% Permetherin (cheapest in the UK is here http://pharmacy1stop.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=3454&cat=164, I've just ordered 2 for less than £6 including UK delivery

Hey Andy99 and Dixieman,

I tried the Hibiclense or Clorhexidine Gluconate 4% solution last night and I see some improvement.  I hope it continues.  Since it is so toxic to the eyes and ears, I wondered if you shampoo your scalp with it?  And if so, how do you keep it out of your ears?  I do have some folliculitus on my scalp as well, that is why I ask.

Just thought I'd update you guys on my experience with this. 

And Dixieman, my new dermatologist DID actually ask me to try the Hibiclense.  The past year and a half I have been given the run around by others.   I'm so happy I found her, as she seems to get skin issues and HIV.  I think more derms need to know the score.

Best to you both,

Jeff