Dry skin may take a number of forms - small patches of dry, red flaky skin (see Dermatitis for more details of this condition) - or more general drying of the skin.

Causes

General skin dryness is usually associated with treatment with indinavir (Crixivan), and to a lesser extent, 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir).

Indinavir can affect the suppleness and the renewal of skin because it interferes with retinoid metabolism. The reason for dry skin on 3TC treatment is unknown.

Infection with human human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I) and hepatitis C virus has been shown to increase the risk of dermatitis in HIV-positive individuals.

What to do

Moisturising the skin is the first option for treating dry skin, but you may need to use very strong moisturising creams provided by your clinic to see any improvement. These include Balneum, Diprobase and Oilatum, and need to be applied every day, and every time you wash.

Dry skin tends to be accompanied by dry lips, and it's important to keep the lips moist by using lip balm, especially in cold weather.