Hello Doctor,
At first, small blisters appear on my arms and legs. As I scratch them, they grow larger, redder, and itch intensely all over my body. Eventually, they go away if I avoid scratching. About 180 days ago, I had a sexual encounter with a random partner and believe I contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Around 165 days ago, I developed painful lesions in my anus. I tested positive for syphilis, but I’ve been told that syphilis doesn’t typically cause these kinds of itchy blisters. The blisters come and go, but if I scratch, they worsen significantly. Could you help clarify what’s going on?
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr.Galen. Please find the below response to your query.
It’s possible that your positive syphilis test and the itchy blisters may be unrelated. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection, can cause a range of symptoms depending on its stage. In its primary stage, syphilis generally presents with a single sore at the site of sexual contact. The secondary stage might involve skin rashes and sores in areas such as the mouth, vagina, or anus, but these symptoms typically don’t include recurring, itchy blisters that appear and disappear.
Given your syphilis diagnosis, getting treated for syphilis is essential to avoid potential complications. However, the blisters you describe could be due to another skin condition, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, bullous pemphigoid, or contact dermatitis, which are unrelated to syphilis. These conditions would need evaluation for an accurate diagnosis.
I strongly advise scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider or dermatologist for an in-person evaluation. They’ll be able to assess your symptoms thoroughly and recommend effective treatments. For now, try to avoid scratching, as this could lead to infection. Over-the-counter creams might help relieve itching temporarily but shouldn’t replace an evaluation by a medical professional.
Thanks
