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 Khanyo, have you had any CD4 count tests done between these two tests? And have you noticed if there has been a trend? E.g., the count slowly falls.
As your viral load is undetectable, HIV should not be having an impact on your CD4 count. It would be expected for your CD4 count to increase while HIV is being suppressed. What were the health problems you were experiencing 2 years ago? and since 2013 have you always been taking your treatment?
Hi I’m ntombi
I would to ask about my health I’m pregnant at four months cd4 196 viral load undetectable, diagnosis 2008 started arvs 2013 At CD4 350 but never I stop taking my since then but I’m worried why my cd4 dropped this much ,doctor has given me pubarc tablet .I don’t but I suspect since new tablet introduce to I started experience health promblem two years ago I’m using luvigen is f fine for me.thank you
Hi Anon, what treatment are you on. HIV treatment does not cause darkening of skin. For how long have you been noticing that your skin is darker?
Hello I am on ARV my face is too dark what can I use to lighten my skin?
Hi David, these are not signs specific of HIV. Please follow this link for more information: https://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/hiv-transmission-and-testing
Hello I’m David am living day by day thinking I might be HIV positive but I have not yet done testing because am fearing it may be true. Some of my friends are telling me that I am growing thinner and also I can feel it also my skin colour has lightened. Please tell me if these may be symptoms or am I just being paranoid. Thank you
Hi Nteto, this will need to be a discussion with your doctor. As there can be a number of things that cause changes in skin tone, the correct management would be needed to address the cause. One cream may not work, if the reason for the change in your skin is something different.
What kind of cream must I use to lighten my skin again?
Hi Tamia, thanks. As this is a new question not related to the original post, I have answered this on a separate webpage.
Please click this link where I answer your questions and include an email address if you want to write back.
Recently diagnosed – why didn’t the clinic tell me about my husband?
https://i-base.info/qa/17187
Hi I’m t I have recently been diagnose with HIV. Last year my husband was first diagnose with meningitis and a month after with tb meningitis here. Then after everything went wrong he then developed a skin disorder which result in him being hospitalized. I then after a year learned he was HIV positive which shocked me and I had myself tested and it came through as positive I’m still trying to process it since we are married 20 years and I have never ever been unfaitlfull to him. I still try to process this whole change in my life and I have children by him.
My argument is why he never recieved counselling. Why was I not notified or counselled. In the time he was diagnosed what procedure was to be put in to place because to my knowledge if this is a transmitted decease why wasn’t I protected. I still tested negative in 2019. Please advice as I need this.