Mucocutaneous signs of HIV disease: Part 2: Noninfectious dermatoses, oral lesions, and opportunistic neoplasms

HIV-Infected patients are prone to cutaneous lesions not generally found in immunocompetent persons. But also consider the possibility of HIV disease in patients who have more common inflammatory dermatoses, such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, that resist treatment. These scaly skin conditions can mimic fungal or scabietic disorders, and a biopsy is usually necessary to confirm the diagnosis. A pruritic dermatosis, such as prurigo nodularis, papular urticaria, or xerotic dermatitis, may be an early sign of HIV infection. Papular urticaria presents as widespread hivelike lesions that resemble insect bites, while xerotic dermatitis is characterized by severe dryness and crusting. Oral lesions to watch for include candidiasis, oral hairy leukoplakia, and Kaposi's sarcoma.