Question
What can I do about darkening of the skin and thinning of the limbs and face?
3 April 2009. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I am on Truvada and nevirapine for HIV, I am also on a preventetive antibiotic Septrin, because my CD4 count is below 200 (i.e 156). I was dignosed with TB but have since finished treatment for TB. My problem is that since I started treatment I developed changes in my body that might be noticed by those who knew me before. Changes include darkening of skin, especially face, thinning of face, arms and legs. Are these changes due to the medication I am taking? If yes, what can be done with the problem? Thank very much and keep on doing the good job you are doing for us.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Darkening of the skin may be a result of low levels of vitamin D. I have replied to a similar question here. Hope you find the answer useful too.
As for the thinning of the face, legs, etc, this may be a condition called lipodystrophy. There is a very detailed information about it here.
Please note that taking the ARVs is still very important, as your CD4 count is still low. Your doctor may decide to make changes after you talk to him/her. It is important, however, that you do not interrupt or change medicines on your own.
Hi MS.
You’re going to need to ask your doctor about this as dosage varies.
Hi, i was given nucotrim to be taken 2 ×1
Does this mean i can take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening? Or 2 pills at ago! Thanks
Hi Lilly,
What HIV meds are you taking? Few HIV meds cause darkening of the skin. So it’s a good idea to see your doctor about your skin problems. You can ask about your HIV treatment. And if any of the drugs are linked to skin problems or weight gain, you can ask to switch to HIV meds that will be easier for you to take.
But how’s the treatment going? If you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results, please let us know what they are.
Hi
I’m on treatment also and my skin isnt ok at all and I gain too much weight is it healthy?
Hi Refilwe,
What ARVs are you taking? I’m asking as few ARVs cause skin darkening, though AZT might: http://i-base.info/guides/3531
With regards to what to eat so that you get enough vitamin D, please see here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
I’m on treatment of hiv and tb my skincolur face is black I hear u talk about vitamin d what is vitan d found in pls help
Hi Vuyiseka,
I’m sorry to hear about your pain. It sounds tough. But it’s important to see your doctor soon about the pains. That’s so that they can find out what’s causing the pains. Your doctor needs to find out because treating HIV and TB together can be complex.
How long have you been taking this treatment? Please let us know what meds you are taking. If you have access to your viral load and CD4 results, please tell us what they are.
My name Kaya,I was diagnosed with HIV& TB,now an treatment,now am losing weight because of my stomach pains it feels like it’s squashing my intestines am not eating and sleeping very well bcoz of this pain.plz help.
Hi Nkosi,
Sometimes darker skin can be caused by low levels of vitamin D.
But what HIV meds are you taking? Emtricitabine has been reported to cause pigment changes (mainly to the palms of the hands or soles of the feet) in African people.
But you can talk to your doctor. You can discuss whether changing HIV meds will help. And you can ask to check vitamin D levels too.
Im HIV positive and on treatment , my skin has gone really dark. Will i heal from this and go back to normal and how long will this take?