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What Causes Red Scaly Skin Patches On Forehead?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: Dear Dr Matin,
As I had already shared in my previous email about my hiv tests done at different amount of time. At 5.5,6.5, 8.5 and last after 12 months. All the test were negative after my last exposure.

Now after all this few days back I caught infection on my forehead. It's neither burning nor itching. Today I showed this to my skin specialist. She said that it may be some fungal infection but also said that after medication of 5 days if this thing don't go then we'll see the posibility of psoriasis.

As I searched about this disease and found that it's an autoimmune disease. But don't know the actual cause of it. Some say people with hiv carries this. I am scared about this.

Do I go for another test, as I have done four different test after my last exposure. Which were after 5.5 months. And one of the test was Elisa Duo from thyrocare. My last test I did in April 2015 EIA from SRL labs.

Pl let me know is there something wrong with my immunity where antibodies are making. I have also done my cdc test. And everything came normal.

Please help I am in great stress and anxiety .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (36 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly upload an Image of the skin condition affecting forehead

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed your discussion with Dr Matin.

I don't think you need to worry about Hiv any more provided you did'nt had any more risky sexual encounters after the one that you mentioned to Dr. Matin.
There is no need for any further tests. You have been declared Hiv negative!.

As far the condition on forehead is concerned your doctor has kept an initial possibility of fungal infection and probably isn't absolutely sure about the diagnosis and therefore wants to see the response to medication which is jutsified.
The other possibility that your doctor thinks is of 'psoriasis' which has probably made you paniky after reading more about it on internet. I must tell you that psoriasis is not an Hiv defining illness. Psoriasis can occur in otherwise healthy individuals, though Hiv patients may have a severe presentation of psoriasis as compared to Hiv negative patients.
Therefore even if you have psoriasis it does'nt mean that your previous screening tests for Hiv were not reliable. They have reliably ruled out Hiv.

Information on internet has to be interpreted with caution and relevence to one's condition and it is always advisable to ask the expert before believing what is written on internet.

I request you to kindly upload an Image of the condition affecting forehead so that I am able to guide you better.

You may upload an Image either at "Reports Section" Or You may mail me at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as Attention:Dr.Kakkar.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 hours later)
Dear Dr Kakkar, please find pic of my forehead. It looks okay when I apply any cream or something. But I wash it with water it gets dry and scaly. I had all used undiluted dettole and 5-6 cloves of garlic on it.

Also I want to tell you that I am in anxiety from last year . Showed to my GO. He also said that clinically I am ok. But I am suffering from anxiety of having Hiv.

Please help me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of either a dermatitis or fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Thank you. I have reviewed the Image.
I can see a dry, scaly, patches of skin on forehead, with some redness, on both sides (Lt>Rt). It can be a dermatitis i.e either seborrheic or psoriatic. Of course fungal infection is also a possibility.
I don't think you should put dettol or garlic or clove on it. This will cause more dryness and irritate the skin further.
You don't need to worry about Hiv because of this. You are clear of Hiv and this patch does'nt suggest anything towards Hiv, either.
As far as this patch is concerned I suggest that you go with advice of your dermatologist who has kept an initial possibility of fungal infection and has given you a therapeutic trial of antifungals and wants to see how it goes.
If it does'nt improve as expected of course the other possibility of dermatitis (i.e either seborrheic or psoriasis) would come in. Topical steroids would be the mainstay of treatment for dermatitis.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 minutes later)
But I have read somewhere that in both the cases seborrhoeic and psoriasis, the person carries jib infection. And these are the triggers.

I am also send the pic of forehead after using antifungal cream given to me. Please check.

Is there any possibility that virus or antbibody couldn't be detected in my last four test.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of Hiv has been totally ruled out

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

No. Most of the patients of seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis do not have Hiv. However, in those who have Hiv these conditions may be more common and more severe as compared to others.
I don't think you should doubt about the authenticity screening Hiv tests. They have reliably ruled out Hiv.
The condition which you have developed on forehead is not at all due to Hiv. It is purely a skin condition though it seems to me from this image that it is either seborrheic dermatitis Or psoriasis.

Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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