Some people get blotchy red rashes on their body, often on the palms of their hands or soles of their feet.Īfter this, a person may live with syphilis for years without any signs of infection.
#REDHAND SAYPHIS SKIN#
You may also notice weight loss or small skin growths (similar to genital warts) around your anus or genitals. Later symptoms include a fever, headache or swollen glands. Chancres normally heal by themselves within 2 to 8 weeks, but without treatment the infection may progress to a second stage.Ī few weeks after the early symptoms have passed, you might start to feel ill. The first thing a person may notice is a painless sore (called a chancre) - usually around their anus or genitals.
The first symptoms of syphilis usually develop around 2 or 3 weeks after infection. It can become more serious, spreading to other parts of the body. Without treatment a syphilis infection develops through different stages. Many people with syphilis won't notice any symptoms for years. Symptoms of syphilis are often mild and it is easy to pass on the infection without knowing you have it. If you inject drugs, do not share needles or injecting equipment with other people. Taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the contraceptive pill or any other type of contraception – apart from condoms – doesn’t protect you from syphilis and other STIs. This way you can let each other know about any symptoms or infections, and discuss how you will have safer sex together. It’s also important that you’re able to talk about your sexual health with your partner/s. If you are having sex with multiple partners, it’s even more important to use condoms and get tested regularly even if you don’t have any symptoms. Having regular STI tests is one of the best ways to look after your sexual health. You should avoid sharing sex toys and if you do share them, wash them and cover them with a new condom before each use. Remember that the condom or dental dam must cover any sores or rashes or you won’t be protected. Using new condoms and dental dams correctly every time you have sex is the best way to prevent syphilis. Syphilis cannot always be prevented, but if you're sexually active you can reduce your risk by practising safer sex.