Sexual health nurse explains the symptoms of syphilis
Hair loss can be caused by many factors including genetics, age, stress and medication among others. Although this is not usually something to be overly concerned about, it can be frustrating and upsetting for those affected.
However, in some cases it could be a sign of an infection. More specifically, it could signal a sexually transmitted disease – syphilis.
Also known as venereal disease, syphilis is often considered a Victorian illness due to its prevalence in that era. But in recent years, cases have been on the rise again, sparking concern.
According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cases of syphilis rose by almost 15 percent between 2021 and 2022, with almost 9,000 recorded cases that year.
One expert spoke exclusively about the signs of infection to look out for.
READ MORE ‘I’m a pharmacist – watch out for these signs of an STI seen in the eyes’
Hair loss in three areas could signal syphilis (Image: Getty Images)
Superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from online pharmacy Chemist Click, warned that patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows could be down to an underlying syphilis infection.
“Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If it’s not treated, it can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems,” he said.
Syphilitic alopecia (SA) is a symptom which mimics other types of alopecia.
Abbas said: “Although it is quite rare, it can cause non-scarring hair loss in secondary syphilis.
“It tends to mimic other hair disorders, such as alopecia areata – which is mostly in small, round patches on the scalp, trichotillomania – a compulsive desire to pull out one’s hair and telogen effluvium – excessive shedding of resting or telogen hair after some metabolic stress, hormonal changes, or medication.
The hair loss may occur in small, round patches (Image: Getty)
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“It can present three clinical patterns that affect not only the scalp region, but also other hair-covered areas; these patterns include moth-eaten, diffuse, and mixed alopecia”.
There are four stages of syphilis – primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
The “moth-eaten” hair loss pattern is the most common type with SA and is considered to be a characteristic of secondary syphilis.
He said: “This type of hair loss causes diffusely thinning hair across the entire scalp or it gives the hair a patchy, ‘moth-eaten’ appearance”.
Other symptoms of syphilis include:
- Small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them
- Sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
- White or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
- A rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
- White patches in your mouth
- Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
- Swollen glands.
Swollen glands could also be a symptom of syphilis (Image: Getty)
However, it can take three weeks or more for the symptoms of syphilis to appear after you’re infected.
If you experience symptoms you should see your GP or go to your nearest clinic to get tested.
And if you test positive you will likely be prescribed antibiotics and you should let any recent sexual partners know so they can get tested.
Prevention
Abbas advised: “Using condoms consistently and correctly when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to prevent syphilis and many other STIs.
“You should also use a condom to cover the penis or a latex or dam to cover the vagina if you have oral sex and make sure you complete treatment if you or your partner have syphilis.
“Avoid sharing sex toys or wash and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.”
If it’s not treated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, some of which may not appear for many years after being infected with syphilis.
This includes heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm and heart failure, brain problems like seizures.
It can also cause memory problems, personality changes and dementia, nerve problems like shooting pains, pins and needles, joint pain and problems with the skin, bones, testicles, liver and any other organ.
