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Hair Loss On Three Areas Of Body Could Signal Contagious Disease - Cases On The Rise
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sexual health nurse explains the symptoms of syphilisHair 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.
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.
"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:
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.
PreventionAbbas 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.
Telltale Sign Of 'worrying' Medieval STI As Cases At A 75-year Peak In England
Health experts are warning people to be 'vigilant' due to a rise in a potentially life-threatening medieval sexually transmitted infection, especially as symptoms are so hard to spot
It's important to be vigilant (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As if there wasn't enough to worry about, now cases of a medieval STI, which is notorious for triggering brain damage and hair loss, are surging in the UK.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problem if not treated. Now a worrying outbreak of the disease, which caused an epidemic when it erupted in Europe in the late 1400s, is at a 75-year peak in England.
New figures revealed that cases of syphilis had increased by 15% from 7,543 to 8,692 in 2022, according to the UK Health Security Agency - the highest numbers in any given year since 1948. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the medieval STI are often mild and hard to notice - but it's still important to know the telltale signs.
According to the experts at Condoms UK, one of the telltale signs are painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth or hands. They explained: "Syphilis symptoms tend to change over time, making them tricky to identify. Common signs include painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or hands, along with white or grey warty growths and rashes on the palms or soles."
However, some may also experience "flu-like symptoms", such as "swollen glands, and patchy hair loss, which might not appear until weeks after being exposed". The NHS also list other symptoms such as "patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows" as well as "high temperature" and "headaches".
While syphilis is most usually contracted through unprotected sex with someone who is infected, it is also possible to get it if you come into contact with an "ulcer on their penis, vagina, bottom (anus), or inside their mouth," the NHS reports.
It's important to go to a GP or a sexual health clinic if you suspect you might have syphilis, as "if left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues," the experts explained. They continued: "It can cause heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm, or heart failure. Brain problems might include seizures, memory difficulties, and even personality changes.
"Nerve issues like shooting pains, joint pain, and damage to the joints can arise. It can affect the skin, bones, testicles, liver, and other organs, leading to complications across the body."
The experts are now "advising the public to be vigilant and seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms". They added: "We also advise that you use condoms during sexual activity to reduce the risk of contracting syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections due to being sent through direct skin-to-skin contact, including of the eyes.
"Early detection and treatment are crucial in preventing the potentially devastating long-term effects of syphilis, which can include heart failure, seizures, memory difficulties, and even blindness or cataracts in rare cases."
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Medieval STI Has Returned: Changed Symptoms, New Strain And What Else We Know About It
Health experts in the US have expressed concerns that a medieval sexually transmitted infection has returned. It can trigger brain damage and hair loss. It has emerged in a shocking outbreak afflicting individuals' eyes. An outbreak has spread via five women's eyes who slept with the same man.Ocular syphilis Confirming it, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said in its report, "A cluster of five cases of ocular syphilis in women with a common male sex partner was identified in Michigan, US, suggesting that an unidentified Treponema pallidum strain might have been a risk factor for developing systemic manifestations of syphilis." New strain of syphilis bacterium As syphilis is generally spread via direct skin-to-skin contact, it has increased concern that it's a new strain of syphilis bacterium. The UK has witnessed an unprecedented surge of syphilis cases, which are at a 75-year peak.Symptoms tend to change Another challenge the health officials are facing is that sometimes syphilis is subtle and difficult to diagnose. Experts at Condoms UK, a leading organization in sexual health, said, "Syphilis symptoms tend to change over time, making them tricky to identify. Common signs include painless sores or ulcers on the genitals, mouth, or hands, along with white or grey warty growths and rashes on the palms or soles."They also said that some people may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen glands and patchy hair loss, which might not appear until weeks after being exposed. But, if it is left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues. It can also cause heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm or heart failure.
Distinct symptoms The experts at Condomn UK have warned that in the case of ocular syphilis, distinct symptoms include pain, redness, floating spots, sensitivity to light and blurred or loss of vision. It also said that what makes syphilis particularly concerning is that even if symptoms improve or disappear, the infection remains in your body, putting you at risk of spreading it and developing serious problems later on. FAQs: Why the UK health experts are upset over the spread of syphilis?The UK has witnessed an unprecedented surge of syphilis cases, which are at a 75-year peak. Another matter of concern is that a new strain of syphilis bacterium has emerged in the country.What are the general symptoms of syphilis and what damage it can cause?Syphilis patients may experience flu-like symptoms, swollen glands and patchy hair loss, which might not appear until weeks after being exposed. If it is left untreated, syphilis can lead to severe health issues. It can also cause heart problems like angina, aortic aneurysm, or heart failure.Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
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