RASHES, soreness and noticeable changes in discharge are usually the first symptoms we thinkofwhen it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There is however,one lesser-known symptom of a STI thatcaneasily be dismissed as or ageing.
A pharmacist has warned – particularly patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows – could be down to an underlying syphilis infection.
is a STI that if not treated, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems.
Syphilitic Alopecia (SA) is a symptom which mimics other typesofalopecia, says superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacistofOnline Pharmacy Chemist Click.
“Although it is quite rare, it can cause non-scarringhairlossin secondary syphilis,”;;Abbas explains.
“It tends to mimic otherhairdisorders, such as alopecia areata – which is mostly in small, round patchesonthe scalp, trichotillomania – a compulsive desire to pull outone’shair,and telogen effluvium – excessive sheddingofresting or telogenhairafter some metabolic stress, hormonal changes, or medication.
“It can presentthreeclinical patterns that affect notonly the scalp region, but also otherhair-coveredareas; these patterns include moth-eaten, diffuse, and mixed .”;;
Moth-eaten alopecia looks like multiple, scattered, small patches of hair loss, resembling a moth’s damage to fabric.
Diffuse alopecia occurs all over the scalp in a uniform, thinning pattern, rather than in distinct patches.
And mixed alopecia is having two or more different types of hair loss conditions simultaneously.
Because prevalenceofthe symptom is low the precise mechanisms by which it develops and progresses still has to be ascertained.
However, Abbas added: “The immune response to the bacterium Treponema pallidum, or its presence,couldbe related to thelossofterminalhairs,hairfollicle cycle arrest, andhairbend resulting in empty follicles and brokenhairs.”;;
There are four stagesofsyphilis – primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
The “moth-eaten”;;hairlosspattern is the most common type with SAand is considered to be a characteristicofsecondary syphilis.
Other symptomsofsyphilis include:
- Small sores (ulcers)onyour penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you mayonly haveoneof them
- Sores in otherareas, including in your mouth oronyour lips, hands or bottom
- White or grey warty growths most commonlyonyour penis, vagina or around your anus
- A rashonthe palmsofyour hands and solesofyour feet that can sometimes spread all over yourbody– this is not usually itchy
- White patches in your mouth
- Flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, and tiredness
- Swollen glands
Knowing whether you have theSTIcan be challenging, particularly with syphilis, as it can take three weeks or more for symptoms to appear.
Also, the symptomsofsyphilis areoften mild and hard to notice, tend to change over time and may come and go.
“Symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection isstill in yourbodywhich means you canstill pass itonand you’re at riskofgetting serious problems lateron,”;; warned Abbas.
Syphilis is transmitted during oral, anal or vaginal sex through contact with infectious lesions, and also during through the placenta.
Latest available figures show that globally,eight million adultswere diagnosed with syphilis in 2022.
However theUK Health Security Agency (HSA)reports diagnoses of infectious syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent stages) at sexual health services in decreased slightly in April to June 2024 to an estimated 2,300, down from 2,360 in the previous quarter.
You should visit your GP or a sexual health clinic if you or a sexual partner have symptoms ofsyphilis, a sexual partner has told you they have syphilis or anotherSTIor you’ve recently had sex with a new partner and did not use a condom.
It’s also important to book an appointment if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have syphilis or you’ve injected using a needle that’s been used by someone who might have syphilis.
Syphilis is treated with , which can come in the form of injections, tablets or capsules.
Abbas explainsthe durationofthe treatment is dependentonthe stageofyour syphilis.
If it’s not treated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, someofwhich may not appear for many years.
According to the NHS, these includeheart problems like aortic aneurysms and heart failure, brain damage leading to , , and seizures, and nerve damage causing paralysis, blindness, and deafness.
But syphilis is both a preventable and curable bacterial STI.
Abbas said: “Using condoms consistently and correctly when you have vaginal or anal sexis the best way to prevent syphilis and many otherSTIs.
“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.”;;
