Pruritic papular eruption of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

We report a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with pruritic papular eruption. The patient, a hemophiliac, presented with generalized pruritic, skin-colored papules and nodules. The chronic lesions were excoriated and hyper-pigmented. The eosinophil count was elevated, but IgE was normal. The lesions and pruritus responded only to ultraviolet B phototherapy. While the mechanism is not known, ultraviolet B phototherapy may provide relief of AIDS-related pruritus.