What part of the body does an HIV rash affect?

Rashes from HIV or HIV medications may develop on any part of the body, though they most often appear on the face and chest and sometimes on the hands and feet, notes Healthline. The HIV rash appears as itchy, red bumps.

Some people develop mild cases of HIV rash, while others develop more severe forms, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, states Healthline. The latter is the more serious, and it covers more than 30 percent of a patient's skin. Over-the-counter medications, such as hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl, treat milder forms of HIV rashes by decreasing itching and the size of rashes, and doctors prescribe other medications for more severe rashes.