Syphilis Hair Loss And Alopecia

syphilis hair loss

Since ancient times, hair has often been associated with wealth, beauty, and health. Many people attempt many ways to get long, thick, and shiny hair. However, not many can achieve that. Instead, many people suffer from hair loss problems, such as baldness.

Syphilis Hair Loss And Alopecia

Types of Alopecia

Baldness or Alopecia is a medical term for a hair condition that experience sudden hair loss. There are several types of Alopecia, including:

1. Androgenic Alopecia.

This type of baldness occurs in both men and women. Androgenic Alopecia is indicated by the limit of hair growth, which gets backward with thinning of hair in the middle of the head.

2. Alopecia Areata

This baldness starts as a coin or small circle pattern, which can lead to complete baldness, known as Alopecia Totalis. The cause of Alopecia Areata is generally due to autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease is the mistakes in the body's defense system in recognizing its own body cells.

3. Scarring Alopecia

This baldness is due to scar tissue caused by the formation of blisters, burning of the scalp, scaly and rough skin patches, and pus of purulent discharge in the scalp. Scarring alopecia leads to permanent baldness. Scarring Alopecia is a rare condition, and it is also known as Cicatricial Alopecia.

4. Anagen Effluvium 

Anagen Effluvium is baldness or hair loss due to hair growth that gets interrupted suddenly and causes abnormal hair loss. In addition, anagen effluvium will occur due to medical conditions such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

5. Telogen Effluvium 

Telogen Effluvium is a condition when your hair experiences sudden hair loss, and it is usually caused by hormonal changes and stress during pregnancy and childbirth, diet, etc.

6. Alopecia due to tinea capitis or fungal infection of the skin.

The baldness or alopecia caused by tinea capitis usually will show symptoms such as scally and itchy scalp. By that time, an inflamed and patchy scalp will develop. This type of baldness can be experienced by everyone.

In general, Alopecia or baldness is not contagious. However, Alopecia caused by tinea capitis can be transmitted. Direct contact with the sufferer's tinea capitis or through intermediary items, such as brushes, towels, hair combs, pillow sheets, and bed sheets, can transmit the infection and cause Alopecia.

Syphilitic Alopecia

Besides the above types of Alopecia, there is another cause of Alopecia, which is caused by Syphilis infection. Many studies show that Syphilis can trigger Alopecia.

Regarding the relationship between Alopecia and Syphilis, it is true that this condition is referred to as Syphilitic Alopecia. 

Syphilitic Alopecia is known as a rare symptom of secondary Syphilis. Baldness in Syphilitic Alopecia can be generalized (diffuse) or moth-eaten, which resembles alopecia areata. However, the moth-eaten is one of the most common pathognomonic of Secondary Syphilis.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection called Treponema pallidum that is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, as well as through exposure to the body fluids of the sufferer.  For example, using unsterilized tools when performing piercings or tattoos, sharing needles, the blood through pregnancy from mother to child, etc.

Syphilis itself consists of four stages, namely:

1. Primary Syphilis

This type of Syphilis is characterized by painless sores on the genitals area or in and around the mouth that look like insect bites.

These sores usually last for 1-2 months and then will heal without leaving a scar. Syphilis, at this stage, is easily contagious.

2. Secondary Syphilis,

Secondary Syphilis is characterized by a red rash on the skin the size of a small coin, usually appearing around the hand's area, especially on the palm and around the soles of the feet. 

The red rash is generally accompanied by fever, sore throat, genital warts, and decreased appetite. This stage can last for at least 1-3 months. As in primary Syphilis, Syphilis is also easily transmitted in this period.

3. Latent Syphilis

Latent Syphilis is the period that occurs after secondary Syphilis. During this stage, Syphilis seems to disappear and causes no symptoms. This latency can last about 2 years.

4. Tertiary Syphilis

Tertiary Syphilis is the most dangerous and considered a final stage of Syphilis. At this time, severe effects on the body occur, such as paralysis, blindness, and hearing problems.

Conclusion

For the treatment of the Alopecia that you are experiencing, you should consult and check with your doctor first. Because to treat Alopecia that occurs, it is necessary to know in advance what the cause is, whether it is due to autoimmune diseases, hormones, fungal infections, etc. 

Plus, if you have concerns about Syphilis, we recommend you consult a dermatologist directly. Don't forget to share your concerns about Syphilis you may have and a history of risky sexual intercourse (if any). If deemed necessary, the doctor may recommend a blood lab test to determine whether it is true that you have Syphilis.

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