I have been + for 10 years, on and off treatment. Current VL 10,000, T cells 450. Recent lymph node enlargement of one by base of head ( left side)...it actually fluctuates in size from the time I wake in morning until later in day, decreasing as day progresses. What causes this?

Also, I have periodic outbreaks of burning, and severe scalp itching with flaking and hair loss when this occurs. I get some relief from OTC tar based shampoo but it is temporary. Can this dermatitis be caused by HIV? Any connection between the two problems here? Thanks.

I don't know what is causing this lymph node to change in size over the course of the day because I don't know why the node is swollen to begin with. It is highly unlikely that a lymphoma would change size in this way, so that should be a relief. Most likely this is a node that is draining from some minor focus of inflammation, or it could also be a cyst and not a lymph node at all.

The scalp problem sounds like seborrhea, and should respond to prescription strength selenium shampoo, 2.5%. If you also get itchy, flaky areas around your nose, eyebrows etc, then you also have facial seborrhea which will respond nicely to a prescription strength steroid ointment.

Possibly these two problems are related if you have scratched your itchy scalp enough to cause a minor scalp infection. Otherwise, I can't see a connection, nor are these 2 problems directly caused by your HIV.