ABSTRACT
Papulopruritic dermatoses are frequent initial manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and are a cause of distress for many patients. Pruritic papular eruption (PPE) of HIV infection is defined as a chronic pruritic papular eruption of unknown cause with a symmetric distribution on the head, neck, trunk, and extremities. PPE is frequently the initial manifestation of HIV infection and may occur months to even years before a serologic diagnosis of HIV is made. Treatment of all papulopruritic skin disorders in HIV is difficult, PPE being no exception. A concern was voiced that UVB may boost the transcription of HIV, making it unsafe for use in HIV-positive individuals. Emotional stress as well as the malnutrition suffered by patients living and coping with HIV may lead them to develop the disease. Thalidomide has been used with success in treating prurigo nodularis in HIV-seronegative individuals, and later in patients with AIDS.
