Acne & HIV

[MoltenStorm]

Is it common for acne to worsen when one has HIV? I know that logically it would make sense for one's acne to worsen since it is an infection of sorts. Just wondering what the sages of the community have to say on this point.

(wonders if he's gonna get a Star Chamber mark for using the word "sages")

[whizzer]

While HIV infection does seem to increase the presence and degree of skin disorders in those afflicted, Acne does not appear to be one of them.

Read this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16088156&dopt=Abstract

-Whizzer
(who is not a sage)

[Longislander]

-Whizzer
(who is not a sage)

just an intelligent hottie!

[rocket]

Oh bring it on! I remember when acne was my biggest problem in life.I thought it couldnt get any worse than this.Zits on my back,chest face and neck,not all at once of course.And some were large and would ooze puss! :-[I know gross,people reminded me it was.  I was on antibiotics,sulpher creams and retinA gel(which worked great btw).i would go to my dermatologist at least once a month and he would inject the worst cysts with kenolog(a steroid),which would make the acne go away overnight.This was expensive ansd a bother so in 83 I started  a new drug called accutane.I doubled the dose on my own in desperation for the acne to go away.About 6 months later the doc told me my liver was being damaged and I had to stop.About a year later my hair turned curly and then fell out.So i was bald by 25 but my acne improved.    About 8 years later I contracted herpes and a whole new set of skin problems started.i thought I was cursed with bad skin,at least the herpes sores were in a different area. Now with hiv Im ready for some kind of rash to appear out of nowhere,but Ill be ready for it when it comes.And Ill just live my life knowing that my skin will always be my downfall.Im almost 50 and i still get acne,just not as often.  stil try to help my skin by drinking lots of water.Has anyone have dermabrasion done for their acne?I sometimes think of it,but at my age why bother.

[David_CA]

-Whizzer
(who is not a sage)

just an intelligent hottie!

Exactly!

[carousel]

 .

[allopathicholistic]

there is always the satisfaction of splatting the mirror with a big white-head.

LOL! SPLAT!  oh goodness Charles

Molten: If you're asking out of curiosity then ignore my advice but if you're asking for yourself just view it as another challenge. HIV might do its damndest to kick your ass - KICK BACK! fight fight fight! personally i think many skin conditions are linked to diet and if a person does street drugs/hard liquor but again my theories mainly

[megasept]

Sage? Nope.

Acne, like single pimples appearing in odd or annoying places like on my face? Yes indeed. 

I am more annoyed by people's comments or questions about my health, than I am these small indications. My skin gets lots of things now, I mean a wide variety of internal skin afflictions. Not a priority for me, but sometimes surprising. I suspect my HIV plays some role in this. Proof? None. 

[bobik]

Hi Molten,

I have acne-like spots on my back. I went to my HIV-specialised dermatologist and he told me that there are several causes for it, and he took a biopsy to decide what treatment I need. It can be bacterial, or it can be a fungus or it can be acne indeed. Good to find out what it is, an effective treatment works much quicker.

Hope this helps!

Coen

[blondbeauty]

I suffered from acné in third degree for many years before "Roacutan" (isotretinoin) was available. I took antibiotics, cortizone, creams...the only thing that worked was Roacutan.
Dermoabrasion for the scars? I had two TCA peelings wich improved my skin a little but the best of all is the "Molding Mask" but requires spending ten days in a clinic and eating through a drinking straw with a mask on your face that only lets you open your eyes.
http://www.moldingclinic.com/esp/index.html