How To Tell If You Have A STD Rash
Not all sexually transmitted diseases bring with them a STD rash. They all have similar yet unique characteristics, causes, complications and treatments. Below is a guideline on various diseases that do bring with them a STD rash. However, if you think you may be infected with one, it is important to consult your physician immediately as these will not treat themselves.
- Syphilis – A STD rash is most definitely present with Syphilis. Early stages bring a skin rash, swollen glands and painless sores that can be inside of the anus or vagina so they can go unnoticed. At stage two, new sores, flu-like symptoms and a brain infection can occur. Syphilis develops over the years, as it is a staged disease. It is extremely contagious but only survives inside the body and it affect skin and organs. It is spread by semen, pus, vaginal fluids or infected blood. Complications include brain disease, dementia, bone, skin and heart disease and blindness if it is left untreated. It can be cured with antibiotics.
- Genital Herpes – This STD rash can turn to painful blisters and form groups to ulcerate. Many people also have a fever and feel fatigued. The ulcers, with treatment will heal but usually leave behind scarring. Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus that can occur either on the genitals or around the anal area and can spread to the mouth. This virus hides itself in nerve endings and often reoccurs. While there is no cure, there is treatment available to help with outbreaks.
- Genital Warts – Genital warts bring an STD rash that appears like pink, soft, moist growths around the anus and on the penis or female genitals. It often will become stalked, soft of like a cauliflower. This sexually transmitted disease is caused by the Human Papillomavirus and is spread only through unprotected sex. Genital warts can develop into bladder cancer and invasive cervical cancer. Also, it can be passed onto infants. There is no cure but through cauterization they can be treated.
-
Genital Lice – Aside from small red bumps, this STD rash brings along some intense itching as well. The genital “crab louse” transfers from genital hairs of one person to another and lays its eggs that take anywhere from 5 to 10 days to hatch. Genital lice, otherwise known as pubic lice can transfer through sex, even if protected and it can spread just from direct contact. It is curable with Quell, a special soap.
- Scabies – Small red bumps accompany this STD rash along with severe itching, especially at night. Scabies is caused by mites that burrow themselves underneath a layer of skin and lay their eggs that cause skin irritation. The largest complication accompanied with this disease is aesthetics as it is unsightly to look at and can cause scarring if it is scratched. Scabies is curable with special sprays and lotions.
Diseases Without A STD Rash
It is important to know that some of the most severe diseases do not have a STD rash present.
- Chlamydia – Most women will show absolutely no symptoms but others will have a discharge or pain during sex and when urinating. Men will have a discharge, mild pain and often a throat or anus infection. If left untreated, complications in women include infertility, pelvic pain and disease, arthritis and ectopic pregnancy and infants can be blind or have pneumonia. Men can acquire arthritis, eye infections, infertility and urinary infections. It is treatable with antibiotics.
- Gonorrhea – Men will usually have pain in the penis accompanies with a yellow-green, thick discharge while women may have pain urinating and little discharge. Both sexes have pain and bleeding in the rectum and a sore throat. Sterility, urinary infections, arthritis and liver brain and heart infections are possible complications. It is treatable with antibiotics but sometimes it may be resistant.
- Hepatitis B – This disease invades the liver and can be 100 times more contagious than HIV. It is accompanied with nausea, fever, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Complications include liver cancer, liver disease and death and there is not cure.