Though its effects are only temporary, ultraviolet B radiation has proved useful, as has Accutane, an anti-acne retinoid that makes the chemical environment of the sebaceous gland less hospitable to the microorganism. Click Here to Enlarge Back to Return Seborrheic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Tinea Seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and tinea are often confused with one another. Seborrheic dermatitis is another condition that appears to occur more frequently in HIV disease. Characterized by erythema and rounded, itchy, scaly plaques on the scalp, the face and occasionally the chest and groin, seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to fungi in hair follicles. It is usually a chronic condition that can be controlled with hydrocortisone or ketoconazole cream.
Psoriasis also produces erythema and plaques that can occur in any location.
These plaques, which tend to be covered with silvery scales, typically do not itch and may, in fact, bleed when scratched. Psoriasis is not exclusively a cosmetic problem. It can cause arthritis in the joints and extremely debilitating lesions on the hand or foot. Traditional therapies do not work very well in HIV-positive patients, and topical steroids lose their effectiveness quickly. Tazarotene gel, a new retinoid, is another potential treatment for HIV-associated psoriasis.