Have you noticed a pimple on your genital area? If so, you may be wondering if it is a pimple or syphilis. While it is possible to get a pimple in the genital area which is not caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD), there is a chance that it could be syphilis. Here are some of the things that you should know about the difference between syphilis and genital pimples.
Location of the Pimple
The location of the pimple can tell a lot about whether it is a genital pimple, syphilis, or another STD. When the pimple is located on the mound or in the bikini area, it is likely that it has been caused by an ingrown hair from shaving. If the pimple is on the penis, vagina, vulva, or anus, it is much more likely that it has been caused by syphilis or another STD. Syphilis can cause sores in the mouth or on the lips if the person takes part in oral sex.
Syphilis Chancre Sores
Syphilis is known to cause chancre sores, which usually occur within 10 to 90 days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a chancre sore which is caused by syphilis looks “firm, round, small, and painless.” While it is possible to get more than one syphilis chancre sore, it is more likely to have only one. A chancre sore that is caused by syphilis will last between three and six weeks. A sore caused by syphilis does not require treatment to go away. Thus, aside from what appears to be a pimple, most people with syphilis do not experience any other symptoms
Other Symptoms of Syphilis
If syphilis is not treated during the first stage in which there is nothing more than a chancre sore, the STD will progress into the second and eventually third stages. During the second stage of syphilis, the main symptom is a skin rash on the palms of the hand or bottom of the feet. Other common symptoms of syphilis include a fever, headache, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, hair loss, decrease in weight, muscle ache, and fatigue. In the third stage of syphilis, symptoms of the STD may remain hidden for years, but it can cause damage to organs, dementia, paralysis, blindness, and even death.
It is important to keep in mind that even if the pimple in question is not syphilis, there is a chance that it could be a genital wart caused by HPV or another STD. Any time that you notice what appears to be a pimple in the genital area, the best thing that you can do is have it checked out by a doctor. There is no way to find out for sure until you do so. It is likely that the doctor will do a complete STD test in order to find out what the cause of the “genital pimple” is.
Source:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Syphilis.” http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/STDFact-Syphilis.htm#symptoms
