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What is a Syphilis Rash?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A syphilis rash is a distinctive skin rash associated with the secondary stage of syphilis. If the patient is not treated, the rash will resolve on its own and the disease will enter the latent stage, exposing the patient to the risk of complications in the future. With treatment, the bacteria responsible for syphilis infection can be cleared from the body and the disease will not become latent. Syphilis treatment is available through general practitioners, as well as specialists like gynecologists and urologists, and generally involves taking a course of antibiotics.

People are infected with syphilis when they come into contact with syphilis ulcers, sites where active infection is occurring. Most cases are passed through sexual contact with ulcers around the genitals or mouth. Once someone is infected, the bacterial infection will form an ulcer in primary syphilis. The patient is contagious during this stage, until the ulcer heals up. Within weeks or months, a syphilis rash will develop.

Syphilis during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth.
Syphilis during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth.

This rash most commonly presents on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands, although it can occur elsewhere on the body. It is rough and reddish to brown, and sometimes pustules develop along with the syphilis rash. This rash is usually not itchy, although it may feel uncomfortable and as it resolves, dead skin left behind may start to peel, flake, and itch.

Syphilis transmitted from mother to child during the birthing process can be fatal for the newborn.
Syphilis transmitted from mother to child during the birthing process can be fatal for the newborn.

The syphilis rash can be contagious. While an active outbreak is occurring, it is important to avoid skin to skin contact, especially with people who have compromised immune systems. Sometimes, the syphilis rash is very faint, and it is possible for the diagnosis of syphilis to be missed, especially if the patient did not notice the ulcer during the primary stage. For this reason, it is important for sexually active people to be regularly tested for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections.

Syphilis, if untreated, can eventually cause heart damage, strokes, seizures and blindness.
Syphilis, if untreated, can eventually cause heart damage, strokes, seizures and blindness.

After a course of antibiotics, the patient's body should be free of the spirochete bacteria that cause syphilis. Without antibiotics, the disease can progress to the latent stage, and eventually develop into tertiary syphilis, a very serious recurrence of the disease that may strike as long as 10 years after the initial infection. Tertiary syphilis can be a debilitating and dangerous disease, as the bacteria can spread throughout the body and cause widespread medical problems, including neurological problems if the bacteria manage to cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain and spinal cord.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

serenesurface
A syphilis body rash can actually be confused with other rashes. It's not uncommon for people to think that an allergic rash is caused by syphilis, especially if they had potential exposure to the bacteria. I have seen several patients at the hospital I work at (I'm a nurse) with extreme anxiety over their rash symptoms.

It doesn't help to get stressed out though. The only way to know what the cause of the rash is getting a blood test. If there is syphilis infection, it will definitely show up in tests by the time there is a rash.

bluedolphin
@burcinc-- As far as I know, a syphilis skin rash can show up anywhere on the body, including the face, arms, legs, chest and back. It's just that it's most often seen on hands and feet.

I don't think any remedies will help resolve it, but staying out of the sun is a good idea. Sunlight, or extreme hot or cold can aggravate the rash further. Just keep it clean and moisturized. Also, make sure to stay away from physical contact with people and do laundry often until the rash disappears.

burcinc

If secondary syphilis rash doesn't occur in the hands and feet, where else does it usually occur on the body?

Are there any home remedies that will help the rash resolve more quickly?

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    • Syphilis during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth.
      By: Monkey Business
      Syphilis during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth.
    • Syphilis transmitted from mother to child during the birthing process can be fatal for the newborn.
      By: jamdesign
      Syphilis transmitted from mother to child during the birthing process can be fatal for the newborn.
    • Syphilis, if untreated, can eventually cause heart damage, strokes, seizures and blindness.
      By: jarun011
      Syphilis, if untreated, can eventually cause heart damage, strokes, seizures and blindness.
    • Individuals infected with syphilis are not eligible to donate blood until one year after ending treatment.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Individuals infected with syphilis are not eligible to donate blood until one year after ending treatment.
    • A gynecologist can diagnose and help treat a syphilis rash.
      By: Dmitriy Melnikov
      A gynecologist can diagnose and help treat a syphilis rash.