1. Cosmetic Improvements to Consider
The lesions associated with the classic form of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) primarily affect the arms, hands, legs and feet. While they're normally painless--except when they grow so large that they put pressure on your blood and lymph vessels--they are unsightly. Your doctor will advise against the application of any topical treatments, as they won't help the appearance of the lesions and may cause undue skin irritation. The best course of action to take is to cover them up with loose, unrestrictive clothing. If you're affected by the HIV/AIDS-related version of KS, your entire body will be prone to the lesions, including your mouth and lips. Should lesions develop in highly visible areas, conventional treatment is unfortunately just about all that can be done to help improve their appearance.
2. Manage the Epidemic Form of KS
Rates of the HIV/AIDS-related variant of Kaposi's sarcoma (also called epidemic KS) have dropped sharply with improvements in antiretroviral therapy. If you have HIV or AIDS but aren't taking any drugs to treat your condition, you have about a 20 percent chance of developing KS. Considering that there's been a dramatic decrease in KS rates in HIV and AIDS patients since the development of modern antiretroviral therapies--to the tune of 80 percent--you should follow a prescribed regimen of HIV management drugs to ward off Kaposi's sarcoma and other complications of the syndrome.
3. Take Precautions Against HHV-8
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is what causes Kaposi's sarcoma, and you should try to limit your exposure to it if you're coping with KS already or if you're at increased risk for developing it. Organ transplant and HIV/AIDS patients, as well as Eastern European Jews and Italians, have much higher chances of getting KS than the general population. While it's not known precisely how HHV-8 spreads, doctors do know that only about 2 percent of the general population carries it, compared to about 18 percent of HIV-negative homosexual men and 40 to 50 percent of HIV-positive gay men. Thus, there's a strong likelihood that the sexual practices of homosexual men present considerable risk factors for HHV-8 transmission.
If you're a male engaging in homosexual sex acts, it's imperative that you practice safer sex at all times. It's easier to take a few extra precautions than to cope with cancerous skin lesions.
