Question
What is causing my HIV+ partner’s skin to darken?
2 September 2016. Related: All topics, Drug interactions, Side effects, Starting treatment.
My partner was diagnosed with a very low cd4 count of 6 back in May 2016. We lives in Vietnam and having very difficulty in finding experience HIV doctors or treatment centre. Anyhow; he was put on ARV therapy starting in June so it is slightly over 2 months now. He was very sick prior to treatment, but now we see a huge improvement.
We recently noticed that his skin has turned darken like as if he had had a tan or something. He did not go outside or exposed to the sun very much. Is this a cause to concern or is it a common side effect of the ARV? please help.
The ARV therapy he is on is one tablet daily contaning: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg; Lamivudine USP 300mg; Efavirenz USP 600mg.
He is also on Itraconazole 100mg ( twice/day with a total of 4 tablets) ;
Cotrim 980mg once /day
Vitamine B complex
Ferrovit (iron tablet) twice/day
So is his darkened skin a cause for concern? we asked the doctor at the clinic where he receives his treatment, but he isn’t really answering. Communication between doctors and patients here is almost next to non-existence or very poorly explained. It is expected that patients shouldn’t ask questions, but just taking treatment from doctors as is. I am not sure if the doctor is not familiar with the problem?
Answer
Thanks for all of the detailed information.
It’s great that your partner was able to start treatment and that you are seeing a big improvement.
Although a handful of ARVs have been associated with pigment changes, these don’t include the ones you have listed your partner as taking. This does not mean that the ARVs aren’t causing the skin darkening, but that more investigation is needed. It could also be caused by something completely unrelated such as a low level of vitamin D. Unfortunately, this is best explored by a supportive doctor and well connected health system which is something you are struggling with.
It’s therefore best to provide as much clear information to the doctor/clinic as possible. This could be by taking photographs in the same light over time. You will also benefit from tracking any changes together, in case it regresses on it’s own. Using photographs may also help with any language barriers or doctors that aren’t very good at communicating verbally and you have a record in case you want to go to a new doctor.
Hopefully this will start to help you and your partner feel more in control of your health and please get back in touch if you need anymore information.
Hello.
I live in Tanzania. I started taking ARV in 2004. Then in 2007 I notice I was losing Fats on my legs, hands and other places on my body. I told my doctor then he changed my medication but until today the fats has not come back,
In 2009 I started noticing my face being dark, I told my doctor but he told me it is not ARV. Please can you help me.
Can I be cured???
Please help, I lost confidence and I feel very bad
Hi Zandile,
What ARVs are you taking?
I was more beautiful and my skin looked healthier but inside I could feel that I needed Arv’s to be healed now I’m no longer feeling pain inside but outside my skin changed to be darker as if I’m not on medication.whats could be the cause?
Hi Joan,
People who are positive can apply for a work visa for the US, your status shouldn’t be an issue.
Halo, am Joan from Uganda, am hiv positive, and I want to go and work from USA, is it possible g or me to go there?
Hi Karabo,
No ARVs don’t make a persons lips go pink. Yes you can drink tonic water.
Greetings
Can arvs makes ur lips look pink at the bottom?…
Cause currently no one knows at home that I have the Virus…
And again can i drink Tonic water to clean my stomach
I staterd arvs two months back but now my skin is darker since i staterd.im loosing weight what should be the cause
Hi Nonhlanhla,
Its common to worry about taking meds, however if you want to control your HIV you’re going to need to use them. Its not a given that you’ll get side effects, lots of people don’t get any. Please see here for more info: http://i-base.info/guides/starting
You’ll need to discuss your health issues with your doctor. They will be able to advice you.
Hi
I was diagnosed with hiv August 2018. I haven’t taken any medication yet,im afraid of the side effects. When i tested positive last year i was’nt sick,but now i get these bumps on my private part. My skin is darckening. My weight is still normal,but im worried about my darckening skin. Im not ready to take any medication rite now