One of the most unpleasant manifestations of infectious diseases is a syphilis rash (the photo clearly conveys the essence of the problem). Such formations can significantly spoil the appearance of the patient and even turn into a state of ulcers.
A little about the disease
Speaking of syphilis, it is worth noting that this is a disease that is most often transmitted sexually. As the causative agent of syphilis, a microorganism such as pale treponema can be identified.
She is very vulnerable in the environment, but, getting into the human body, it multiplies very quickly. As a rule, from the moment of infection to the appearance of visible symptoms, it takes from 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of concomitant sexually transmitted diseases, the time of development of the disease may vary.
What is the difference between a syphilis rash
In some cases, papules that have appeared on the soles of the feet or palms are very similar to patches of psoriasis or psoriasis. Therefore, a syphilis rash should be diagnosed by trained professionals.
However, there are certain criteria that help distinguish rashes resulting from syphilis from other types of spots. SoThus, papular elements have the following features:
- no itching and pain;
- clear boundaries;
- a characteristic color that resembles the color of meat or ham;
- tissue infiltration is present.
Because there are cases when diagnostic measures are complicated due to the variety of spots, methods for determining the nature of the rash, such as serological examination, as well as the study of cerebrospinal fluid, can also 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 hard chancre or focus has been detected. In this case, the rash can have two forms: papule and roseola.
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 particular form does not attract attention in any way. This means the 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 anywhere on the body.
As for papules, they develop next to roseola. This type of rash can also affect any part of the body. After the disappearance of the papules, only pigmented spots without scars are left. It is not uncommon for skina circle of small papules is formed, in the center of which there is a large spot.
Secondary syphilis
This form of this infectious disease usually develops 5-9 weeks after the onset of the chancre and can last from 3 to 5 years.
The main symptoms of this form of the disease include the syphilis rash itself (the photos clearly convey the clinical picture), as well as nail damage, wide warts, the development of syphilitic tonsillitis, baldness and leukoderma.
Possible appearance of generalized lymphadenitis. 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 clear manifestations, but sometimes a temperature rise, sore throat and runny nose are recorded. Similar symptoms resemble a cold, which is often confused with a secondary form of syphilis.
Signs of secondary syphilis
To determine the development of this particular form of an infectious disease, you should familiarize yourself with the key signs of a rash in this condition:
- regular and round shape;
- do not peel off in the center;
- do not merge into single spots;
- soreness and itching do not accompany a rash with syphilis, the formation itches, which is the result of any other skin disease;
- formations have clear edges and are dense;
- can disappear without treatment, leaving no scars;
- able to appear on all parts of the body, inincluding on visible mucous membranes.
Considering the rash with secondary syphilis, it is worth noting the fact that all formations pass without noticeable traces (spots, tubercles, vesicles). The only exceptions are erosion and ulcers. 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 how the rash looks like with secondary syphilis, it is important to pay attention to the recurrent form of the disease. In this state, rashes are localized mainly in the area of 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.
When relapsing, syphilis results in significantly fewer spots than usual. The color of the rashes is faded. Skin lesions can be combined with pustular and papular rash, which is more common in debilitated patients. When the remission period comes, all types of rashes disappear.
It is important to understand that it is during the period of relapse that patients are especially contagious through any contacts, even household ones.
During secondary exacerbation of syphilis, the rash can be defined as polymorphic. This means that pustules, spots and papules appear on the skin at the same time. Such elements are first grouped, and then merge and form rings,semi-arcs and garlands. Such formations are called lenticular syphilides.
Features of the rash in the secondary recurrent form
When this form of the disease occurs, the lenticular rash may have the following manifestations:
- Psoriasiform. Syphilis peels off over its entire surface, resulting in the formation of silvery scales.
- In the case of seborrheic syphilis, the papules are covered with scaly crusts, the color of which can vary from gray-yellow to the usual yellowish.
- Cockade-like formations. The syphilis rash in this case appears as a large papule surrounded by small formations.
- Ring-shaped rashes are most often recorded in men in the scrotum and penis.
- Moist, erosive syphilides appear in the axillary, popliteal and inguinal folds, as well as in the neck and abdomen. Papules may merge into single plaques with jagged edges.
- Papular syphilide. In this case, we are talking about dense tubercles that appear on the feet and palms. These rashes are blue-violet or yellowish in color.
- Herpetiform syphilides consist of papules with a bubble in the upper part, which eventually gives way to a yellowish crust. The bumps can merge and form red plaques that can leave scars and pigmentation.
- Coin-shaped rashes are about 2 cm in size. In most cases, the shape of these dense formations is round. They can also merge into plaques (10-15 cm) forming continuous syphilides.
- Miliaryeducation. This type of papular rash consists of multiple small and dense brown-red elements. They can merge, forming a fine-grained surface with jagged 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 skin appendages. This means that in addition to spots, diffuse loss of hair, 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 relapses of the disease are possible. If the patient is faced with just such a problem, then he is shown a study of the cerebrospinal fluid.
At the same time, it is important to note that if you respond in a timely manner to the symptoms of the secondary form of the disease and conduct a full course of therapy, then 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. At the same time, the fact that the rash with secondary syphilis becomes relatively poor does not mean that the patient's condition has improved.
In most cases, a decrease in the concentration of the rash indicates that there is a developmentsyphilis leading to damage to internal organs.
At the same time, the rashes themselves eventually take the form of tubercles, group and leave behind scars.
Tertiary period of syphilis
This form of syphilis is characterized by focal destruction of the skin and mucous membranes, large joints, hollow organs and the nervous system. The main signs include gummas and papular rashes. Tertiary syphilis can develop from 5 to 15 years (if left untreated) and is extremely rare. At the same time, 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 its turn, takes on a blue-red tint in the education area.
As for the syphilitic gum, this term should be understood as a dense movable knot 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, the gumma rises above the skin level, acquiring the appearance of a dark red rounded tumor. In its center, a softening is first formed, and then a hole through which the adhesive mass comes out. After that, a deep ulcer forms in place of the gumma.
In most cases, gummas have a single localization and are located in the face.
Thus, it is easy to see that such a disease can cause quite serious he alth problems. Therefore, do not delay treatment in case of detection of characteristic symptoms.
