Question
My skin became darker, what can I do?
1 April 2009. Related: All topics, Other tests, Side effects.
I am on Truvada and Viramune. I was first dignosed with HIV in March 2008 and my CD4 count was 77 and VL 12,000,000. Now my CD4 count is 174 and viral load is undetectable. The problem is my face has become darker. Is this because of the medication or something else. If yes what can be done with this condition? Thanks
Answer
Darker skin might be linked to a low level of vitamin D (see this recent study).
As you are on Truvada, ask your doctor to check this.
This is only one of the possible reason. If you talk with your doctor, they might decide on other tests.
HIV meds are not usually linked to changes in skin colour.
Hi Sam,
Are you on HIV treatment (ART). If so what HIV meds are you taking?
Some early HIV meds (ARVs) can have caused darkening of the skin. But modern ART has fewer side effects.
Having a yellowish skin (jaundice) has been linked to some ARVs. Please see this link.
Do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results?
Whats the effects on face for hiv patients
Does the face change into yellowish
Hi Lindokuhle,
What ARVs are you taking? It’s very important to talk to your doctor about these spots. Please ask to have the spots looked at by a specialist so you can find out what they are and what’s causing them.
How to treat/removes dark spotted caused by hiv to your body
Hi Shaik,
AZT, an early HIV drug, was linked to darkened skin in Africans and African-Americans. But this side effect has not been reported for the meds you are taking.
However, atazanavir – the drug in Anzavir-R – can cause yellowing eyes or skin in 10% of patients. This is because it can increase levels of bilirubin. Bilirubin is an orange-yellow part of bile. Bile is the bright green fluid secreted by the liver to help digestion.
Importantly, this effect is just a cosmetic change rather than causing a health problem. Could this be what you mean by your face getting darker? If so, you could talk to your doctor about switching to different meds.
Hi I hiv positive from 2008 I am taking art. Anzavir-R & Ricovir=L taking regularly but my face skin is gatting dark why. NOWI What is the treatment
Hi Modiri,
What meds are you taking for HIV? AZT can darken nail and skin pigment in Africans and African-Americans, but this HIV drug is now rarely used in the UK.
Emtricitabine (FTC) has been reported to cause pigment changes (mainly to the palms of the hands or soles of the feet) in African people. FTC is included in many ARV combinations.
hi what can i use to stop my skin to be darker im on medication
Hi Nthuthko,
A darker skin could happen because you have low levels on Vitamin D. But as you are taking TB meds you can talk to the doctor and ask them to look at your skin. You can also ask to see a skin specialist.
hi there my face became darker after i stated tb treatment its 3 months now what can i use?