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 Moezzac,
Please see this page from the guide to HIV, side effects and quality of life. The meds you’re taking are not reported to cause skin pigment problems.
But it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor and ask if changing meds can improve your skin condition.
My face become darker too. My med is TDF+3TC+EFV. Pls advise me if any solutions. Thanks you.
Hi Londeka,
What ARVs are you using?
Greetings
My name is Londeka, I have been taking meds for 15 months now. I noticed my skin got darker a few months in, I thought it was because I was a smoker. I spoke to the nurse and she said she’s never heard such a thing maybe it’s the smoking. I haven’t smoked for 6 months now but my skin is worsening.
What can I use
Hi West,
When a persons skin becomes darker it isn’t usually their lips. However, you could try changing to another ARV combination. You doctor should be able to advise you about this.
I started treatment on tribuss 2015, and my lips have became very dark, what can I use to lighten them, I have tried the lemon, honey and coconut oil, but there is no improvement.
Hi Johannes,
If your skin has gotten darker you may wish to try another combination of ARVs. You’ll need to talk to your doctor about this.
I was dignosed in 2009 with 998 CD4 count an by then I was never given any medication because I was considered health but given only nutritional products and guided how I must live which I followed that till 2018 when I decided to revisit for check up because I was getting continues health conditions which I didn’t understand .
They find out that I was having abnormal viral load and high blood pressure and I was now given Atroiza but I forgot the first retroviral and BP and Antibiotic to take them daily.
Now my skin is becoming terribly darker.
What can I do?
Hi Peter M,
What ARVs are you taking? AZT can darken nail and skin pigment in Africans and African-Americans, but this drug is now rarely used. Please see this link for more info.
You can also ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist dermatologist.
Am on ARVs for 9 years now. I was born brown color. But since 2017, my facial color has turned darker month by month. Am wondering if it is ARVs or what?