How to tell if a penis rash is from HIV

By Jenna Fletcher   

Reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD

HIV rash symptoms | Other symptoms | Seeing a doctor | Takeaway

Similarly to other viral infections, an early symptom of HIV is a rash that can appear anywhere on the body, including the penis. When HIV causes a rash, it appears as a flat red patch with small red bumps. Itchiness is the primary symptom of an HIV rash.

HIV rashes typically appear on the upper areas of the body, but sometimes, a rash can develop on the penis.

In this article, we examine the signs and how to identify an HIV rash when it appears on the penis.

HIV rash symptoms

A rash is one of the earliest symptoms that a person might experience after contracting HIV.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an HIV rash typically appears during the acute stage of infection, which can last 2 to 4 weeks after contracting HIV.

The rash can last for 1 to 2 weeks as the body tries to fight the infection.

The rash often appears as a red area of skin with tiny bumps. It is often itchy and may be painful.

The rash typically occurs alongside other flu-like symptoms including:

• fever
• a sore throat
• swollen glands
• fatigue
• joint and muscle pain

Similar to the rash itself, the other symptoms should clear up within about 2 weeks.

There are several potential causes of HIV rash including:

• the HIV infection itself
• HIV medication side effects
• other infections
• other medications

It is essential to know what an HIV rash looks like because this means a person can seek medical assistance sooner.

When an HIV rash appears, it can spread over large areas of the body, including the penis. The rash typically consists of small round, red bumps that may be flat or raised. Sometimes, the bumps have a crusty, white appearance or they may resemble small scabs.

Other symptoms

Without treatment, HIV will continue to damage the immune system. A person may not experience any other symptoms from the virus during this time. This may mean they do not develop a rash. Some people may develop ulcers that appear in their mouth, the esophagus, in or around the anus, or on the penis.

Sometimes, lymph nodes, which are under a person's arm or in their neck, swell up. The swelling could last for much longer than the rash or flu-like symptoms.

As HIV progresses, sometimes over many years, it can compromise a person's immune system. As a result, some people may experience:

• recurrent infections that last for long periods
• weight loss
• night sweats
• chronic diarrhea
• life-threatening infections
• skin issues

When to see a doctor

Anyone who develops a rash on their penis may want to talk to their doctor.

A person should seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms alongside the rash and they think they may have contracted or had exposure to HIV.

However, there is a range of other potential reasons for a rash on the penis that are less serious than HIV.

These include:

• balanitis, which is a swelling of the penis tip often due to poor hygiene
• a yeast infection or another fungal infection
• scabies, which is a contagious itchy rash due to mites
• contact dermatitis or allergic reaction on the skin

A person may also develop a rash from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including:

• herpes
• syphilis
• chancroid, which is an infection that causes sores on the genitals
• pubic lice

If a doctor suspects that a person has HIV, they will order an HIV test. Though there are a few potential options, the most accurate is a blood test.

Results come back either negative if no infection is present or positive if there is evidence of an infection. Even if the test comes back negative, a person who believes they may have had exposure to HIV should receive testing frequently.

Early detection is key to treatment. The earlier treatment begins, the better a person's outlook. With successful treatment, many people with HIV have a normal life expectancy.

Typically, doctors prescribe creams or ointments to treat a rash on the penis, but which one will depend on the precise cause of the rash.

Takeaway

HIV can cause a rash on the penis.

The rash may occur alongside flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, muscle aches, and swollen glands. If these symptoms appear together, seek medical attention.

Early treatment of HIV is key to successfully managing the disease.

SOURCE: MEDICAL NEWS TODAY