One of the most unpleasant manifestations of infectious diseases is a rash with syphilis (the photo clearly conveys the essence of the problem). Such formations can significantly spoil the appearance of the patient and even go into a state of ulcers.
A bit about the disease
Speaking of syphilis, it is worth noting that this is a disease that is most often transmitted sexually. As a causative agent of syphilis, you can determine such a microorganism as pale treponema.
It is very vulnerable in the environment, but, getting into the human body, multiplies very quickly. As a rule, from the moment of infection to the manifestation of visible symptoms, 4 to 6 weeks pass. In the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted diseases, the time of development of the disease may vary.
What is the difference between a rash in syphilis?
In some cases, papules that appear in the soles of the feet or hands are very similar to spots of psoriasis or scaly lichen. Therefore, a rash with syphilis should be diagnosed by trained specialists.
At the same time, there are certain criteria that help distinguish rashes resulting from syphilis from other types of spots. Thus, papular elements have the following symptoms:
- lack of itching and pain;
- clear boundaries;
- a characteristic color that resembles the color of meat or ham;
- there is tissue infiltration.
Since there are cases when diagnostic measures are complicated due to the variety of spots, methods of determining the nature of the rash, such as serological examination, as well as the study of cerebrospinal fluid, can be used. This diagnosis is especially popular in the case of a secondary form of the disease.
Primary syphilis rash
If we consider the results of the observation of doctors, it can be argued that the first rashes in case of infection with syphilis appear approximately 6 weeks after a solid chancre or focus has been detected. In this case, the rash can have two forms: papule and roseola.
The spots called roseola are characterized by a pink color. They appear first. Answering the question: “Does the rash itch with syphilis?”, It is worth noting that this form does not attract attention to itself. This means a complete absence of itching, peeling and any other painful sensations. Moreover, roseola does not even rise above the surface of the skin. Such rashes can appear in any part of the body.
As for the papules, they develop next to the roseola. This type of rash can also affect any part of the body. After the disappearance of the papules, only pigmented spots remain without scars. There are frequent cases when a circle of small papules forms on the skin, in the center of which there is a large spot.
Secondary syphilis
This form of this infectious disease develops, as a rule, in 5-9 weeks from the moment of the appearance of hard chancre and can last from 3 to 5 years.
The main symptoms of this form of the disease can be attributed directly to the rash with syphilis (the photo clearly conveys the clinical picture), as well as nail damage, wide warts, the development of syphilitic tonsillitis, baldness and leukoderma.
The appearance of generalized lymphadenitis is possible. We are talking about painless, dense nodes, the skin over which has a normal temperature. As a rule, with this type of disease there are no vivid manifestations, but sometimes hanging temperature, sore throat and runny nose are recorded. Such symptoms resemble a cold, with which the secondary form of syphilis is often confused.
Symptoms of Secondary Syphilis
To determine the development of this particular form of infectious disease, you should familiarize yourself with the key signs of a rash in this condition:
- regular and round shape;
- in the center do not peel off;
- do not merge into single spots;
- soreness and itching do not accompany the rash with syphilis, itching that is a consequence of any other skin disease;
- formations have clear edges and dense;
- can disappear without treatment, without leaving scars;
- able to appear on all parts of the body, including the visible mucous membranes.
Considering a rash with syphilis of a secondary form, it is worth noting the fact that all formations pass without noticeable traces (spots, tubercles, vesicles). The only exceptions are erosion and ulcer. In the first case, after the disappearance of the formation, a stain remains, and the appearance of ulcers is fraught with scars. Such trace marks make it possible to determine which primary element was originally on the skin. Such information helps to identify both the development and outcome of existing skin lesions.
Recurrent form
Understanding what the rash looks like with syphilis of the secondary type, it is important to pay attention to the recurrent form of the disease. In this state, rashes are localized mainly in the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs, as well as on the mucous membranes and in the folds between the buttocks and under the mammary glands.
In the relapse stage, syphilis leads to a noticeably smaller number of spots than usual. The color of the rashes is faded. Skin lesions can be combined with a pustular and papular rash, observed more often in debilitated patients. When the period of remission begins, all types of rashes disappear.
It is important to understand that it is during the relapse that patients are especially contagious with any contact, even domestic.
During secondary exacerbated syphilis, the rash can be defined as polymorphic. This means that pustules, spots and papules appear simultaneously on the skin. Such elements are first grouped, and then merge and form rings, half-arches and garlands. Similar formations are called lenticular syphilis.
Features of a rash in secondary recurrent form
When this form of the disease occurs, a lenticular rash can have the following manifestations:
- Psoriasis. Syphilis peeling occurs over its entire surface, resulting in the formation of silver flakes.
- In the event of seborrheic syphilis, the papules are covered with crusty scales, the color of which can vary from gray-yellow to normal yellowish.
- Cockard-like formations. The rash with syphilis in this case manifests itself in the form of a large papule surrounded by small formations.
- Ring-shaped rashes are most often recorded in men in the scrotum and genital area.
- Wet, erosive syphilis appear in the axillary, popliteal and inguinal folds, as well as in the neck and abdomen. Papules can merge into single plaques with uneven edges.
- Papular syphilis. In this case, we are talking about dense tubercles that appear on the feet and palms. Such rashes have a blue-violet or yellowish color.
- Herpetiform syphilides consist of papules with a bubble in the upper part, which over time is replaced by a yellowish crust. The tubercles can merge and form red plaques that can leave scars and pigmentation.
- Coin-like rashes are about 2 cm in size. In most cases, the shape of these dense formations is rounded. They can also merge into plaques (10-15 cm) forming continuous syphilides.
- Miliary education. This type of papular rash consists of multiple small and dense elements of brown-red color. They can merge, forming a fine-grained surface with uneven edges. This type of rash appears when syphilis is combined with tuberculosis. It is characterized by a chronic course and difficult treatment.
Associated complications
It is important to understand that a rash on the body with syphilis can appear with pathological changes in the appendages of the skin. This means that in addition to spots, diffuse hair loss, eyebrows and eyelashes is possible. In this case, the hair often falls out in a certain place, which leads to the appearance of small bald patches.
Such rashes are a characteristic manifestation of secondary syphilis, in which periodic relapse of the disease is possible. If the patient is faced with just such a problem, then he is shown a study of cerebrospinal fluid.
It is important to note that if you timely respond to the symptoms of the secondary form of the disease and conduct a full course of therapy, that is, there is every chance to completely overcome the disease.
Severe skin lesions
With each new relapse, the manifestations of the disease become less pronounced. In other words, the number of spots decreases and changes in their shape and size occur. Moreover, the fact that the rash with secondary syphilis becomes relatively scarce does not mean an improvement in the patient's condition.
In most cases, a decrease in the concentration of rashes indicates that there is a development of syphilis, leading to damage to the internal organs.
At the same time, the rashes themselves take the form of tubercles over time, group together and leave behind scars.
Tertiary Syphilis
This form of syphilis is characterized by focal destruction of the skin and mucous membranes, large joints, hollow organs and nervous system. The main signs include gum and papular rashes. Tertiary syphilis can develop from 5 to 15 years (if untreated) and is rarely diagnosed. In this case, it is likely that the asymptomatic period may last more than 20 years.
Understanding what kind of rash with syphilis of this form can appear on the skin, it is worth noting that formations of this type are round and dense, and their size is approximately 1 cm. They are located at the depth of the skin, which, in turn, acquires a blue red tint in education.
As for syphilitic gum, then this term should be understood as a dense movable node located deep in the skin. Its size usually reaches a mark of 1.5 cm. Painful sensations with such formations are not fixed. After 2-4 weeks, gum rises above the skin, acquiring the appearance of a dark red rounded tumor. In its center, a softening first forms, and then an opening through which the adhesive mass comes out. After this, a deep ulcer forms at the site of the gum.
In most cases, gummas have a single localization and are located in the face area.
Thus, it is easy to notice that such a disease can cause quite serious health problems. Therefore, do not delay the treatment in case of detection of characteristic symptoms.