A person who is tested positive for HIV might see what is called an HIV rash on their skin. At some point during their illness, at least 85% of HIV sufferers will have this rash. This symptom occurs roughly 2 to 4 weeks after a person is infected. These rashes tend to look like brown or red razor bumps or a type of eczema. Sometimes people have complained of itching or soreness. This rash is usually found on the shoulders, chest area, and sometimes on the palms. They are localized and generally do not tend to spread to other areas of the body.
 
These rash symptoms don’t always occur in people infected with HIV, and having a rash doesn’t mean that HIV has been contracted. Rashes are common occurrences and can be caused be many different reasons. An HIV rash may looks frightful, but doctors say they aren’t a cause for concern. If the rashes form in conjunction with symptoms like fever, diarrhea, headaches, vision problems, decrease in weight, or other extreme conditions seek the advice of a physician. Also get consultation if the rashes cause skin ulcers which may get a bacterial infection. There are so many other rashes that are common such as heat rash, eczema and rashes due to stress that it’s important to not get into a state of panic.
 
Some time during the third stage of HIV, called symptomatic HIV, more intense rashes can occur. This stage of HIV lasts roughly 1 to 3 years and is before full AIDs manifests. The rashes during this stage are pink and sometimes scaly. This form of HIV rash can show up on the scalp, face, chest, armpit, and groin. It’s important with HIV to take care of your health and immune system to be able to resist complications or infections.