
Hair loss on your head and two other body parts ‘could signal an STI' warns expert
RASHES, soreness and noticeable changes in discharge are usually the first symptoms we think of when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
There is however, one lesser-known symptom of a STI that can easily be dismissed as stress or ageing.
3
3
A pharmacist has warned hair loss - particularly patchy hair loss on the head, beard and eyebrows - could be down to an underlying syphilis infection.
Syphilis is a STI that if not treated, can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems.
Syphilitic Alopecia (SA) is a symptom which mimics other types of alopecia, says superintendent pharmacist Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist of Online Pharmacy Chemist Click.
"Although it is quite rare, it can cause non-scarring hair loss in secondary syphilis," Abbas explains.
"It tends to mimic other hair disorders, such as alopecia areata - which is mostly in small, round patches on the scalp, trichotillomania - a compulsive desire to pull out one's hair, and telogen effluvium - excessive shedding of resting or telogen hair after some metabolic stress, hormonal changes, or medication.
"It can present three clinical patterns that affect not only the scalp region, but also other hair-covered areas; these patterns include moth-eaten, diffuse, and mixed alopecia."
Moth-eaten alopecia looks like multiple, scattered, small patches of hair loss, resembling a moth's damage to fabric.
Diffuse alopecia occurs all over the scalp in a uniform, thinning pattern, rather than in distinct patches.
And mixed alopecia is having two or more different types of hair loss conditions simultaneously.
Because prevalence of the symptom is low the precise mechanisms by which it develops and progresses still has to be ascertained.
What is Gonorrhoea
However, Abbas added: "The immune response to the bacterium Treponema pallidum, or its presence, could be related to the loss of terminal hairs, hair follicle cycle arrest, and hair bend resulting in empty follicles and broken hairs."
There are four stages of syphilis - primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
The 'moth-eaten' hair loss pattern is the most common type with SA and is considered to be a characteristic of secondary syphilis.
Other symptoms of syphilis include:
Small sores (ulcers) on your penis, vagina, or around your bottom (anus) – these are usually painless and you may only have one of them
Sores in other areas, including in your mouth or on your lips, hands or bottom
White or grey warty growths most commonly on your penis, vagina or around your anus
A rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet that can sometimes spread all over your body – this is not usually itchy
White patches in your mouth
Flu -like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headaches and tiredness
Swollen glands
Knowing whether you have the STI can be challenging, particularly with syphilis, as it can take three weeks or more for symptoms to appear.
Also, the symptoms of syphilis are often mild and hard to notice, tend to change over time and may come and go.
"Symptoms can improve or go away completely, but if you have not been treated the infection is still in your body which means you can still pass it on and you're at risk of getting serious problems later on," warned Abbas.
Syphilis is transmitted during oral, anal or vaginal sex through contact with infectious lesions, and also during pregnancy through the placenta.
Latest available figures show that globally, eight million adults were diagnosed with syphilis in 2022.
However the UK Health Security Agency (HSA) reports diagnoses of infectious syphilis (primary, secondary and early latent stages) at sexual health services in England decreased slightly in April to June 2024 to an estimated 2,300, down from 2,360 in the previous quarter.
3
You should visit your GP or a sexual health clinic if you or a sexual partner have symptoms of syphilis, a sexual partner has told you they have syphilis or another STI or you've recently had sex with a new partner and did not use a condom.
It's also important to book an appointment if you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant and think you might have syphilis or you've injected drugs using a needle that's been used by someone who might have syphilis.
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics, which can come in the form of injections, tablets or capsules.
Abbas explains the duration of the treatment is dependent on the stage of your syphilis.
If it's not treated, syphilis can cause serious and potentially life-threatening problems, some of which may not appear for many years.
According to the NHS, these include heart problems like aortic aneurysms and heart failure, brain damage leading to stroke, dementia, and seizures, and nerve damage causing paralysis, blindness, and deafness.
But syphilis is both a preventable and curable bacterial STI.
Abbas said: "Using condoms consistently and correctly when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to prevent syphilis and many other STIs.
"You should also use a condom to cover the penis or a latex or dam to cover the vagina if you have oral sex and make sure you complete treatment if you or your partner have syphilis.
"Avoid sharing sex toys or wash and cover them with a new condom before anyone else uses them."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
More testing needed for genetic cancer risk as too many women ‘missed', experts say
A new study has revealed that families of some cancer patients are being denied the opportunity to learn about their potential cancer risk due to inconsistencies in genetic testing. Academics have warned that the absence of adequate testing for Lynch syndrome is leaving some cancer patients unaware of their risk of developing other cancers. Lynch syndrome, a rare hereditary condition, elevates the risk of cancers of the bowel, womb, and ovaries. It arises from a gene mutation affecting DNA error correction during replication, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth. NHS guidelines stipulate that patients with bowel or womb cancer should undergo tumour assessments for Lynch syndrome markers. The identification of these markers should prompt a referral for genetic testing, confirming the diagnosis and enabling access to support and guidance regarding cancer risks for both the patients and their families. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. They found that 91 per cent of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64 per cent) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48 per cent of those eligible went on to get the test. Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hospice plans could see 16 bed unit on Norfolk and Suffolk coast
A hospice charity has submitted plans to develop an end-of-life care facility in a coastal town 18 years after fundraising Hospice Care launched in 2007, changing its name to East Coast Hospice two years later. In 2023 the charity merged with St Elizabeth Hospice, based in charity says it wants to build a community hospice with 16 beds on its site at Sidegate Lane in Gorleston near Great Newman, chief executive of St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "We are delighted to submit this planning application and share our full plans with the wider community." Plans to build a hospice between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth have stalled for almost two decades as rival charities competed over plans, sites and community was split over supporting the James Paget University Hospital wanting to build a hospice at the Louise Hamilton Cancer Centre, within its site or the independent East Coast Hospice, which had land and won planning consent for a 10-bed the NHS withdrew its plans, East Coast Hospice merged with St Elizabeth which immediately conducted a feasibility study which found a hospice was needed to help patients in Great Yarmouth and said the previous plans were not suitable to the needs identified in its report, and it appointed Norwich-based LSI proposed unit would feature 16 inpatient beds, an outpatient and community hub for day care and therapies as well as a community café. Roberta Lovick, ambassador for the Louise Hamilton Trust, said: "The strength of our partnership will help us achieve our vision of bringing greater parity to end-of-life care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney."When my daughter Louise died in 1998, I vowed to dedicate my life to improving end-of-life care in this community and across the country, and this project, alongside St Elizabeth Hospice, is a significant step toward that goal."This is something we know the community wants and needs. This community hospice building will make a drastic difference to so many people, improving local end-of-life care, giving people more options and support during their precious remaining time with loved ones." Ms Newman added: "We are delighted to submit this planning application and share our full plans with the wider community."With the invaluable support of Roberta Lovick and the Louise Hamilton Trust, we are in a strong position to develop the community hospice sustainably in a single phase."Ed Garratt, chief executive at Norfolk and Waveney ICB (N&W ICB), said: "This is a hugely welcome development, which aligns with our ambitions to enhance palliative and end-of-life care in our region."I wholeheartedly support this shared commitment from the voluntary sector, NHS and community in working together to improve services for the local population." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Dog trainer warns against 'deadly' act almost EVERY owner does with their pets every day
A dog trainer has issued an urgent warning over a common mistake many dog owners make every day - and it could be fatal for your furry friend. Adam Spivey, the British founder of Southend Dog Training, warned pet parents against walking their dogs immediately after feeding them, describing it as 'one of the most dangerous things you can do' as a dog owner. In a video that has since gone viral, Spivey explained that feeding your dog and then taking them for a walk can cause a life-threatening condition known as 'bloat'. 'It's so important that if you are going to feed your dog before a walk, you give them at least 45 minutes to an hour before doing any physical activities,' he said. The expert clarified that gentle movement is fine, but 'properly exercising them' too soon is risky. 'You need to give time for that food to go down.' Spivey added that not only is it safer to feed your dog after a walk, it also helps with appetite and fussiness. 'They're going to be more hungry after they've burned off some energy,' he said. 'It reduces the chance of them being fussy if you feed them after exercise.' Veterinarians back the warning, with Cronulla Veterinary Clinic describing gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) - commonly known as bloat - as a fast-moving and often fatal condition. According to the clinic, bloat occurs when a dog's stomach becomes distended with gas, fluid or food, placing pressure on nearby organs and arteries. In severe cases, the stomach can twist, cutting off blood flow to major organs and causing shock. 'GDV develops without warning and can progress quickly,' the clinic explains. 'It's always an emergency, as every minute without treatment increases the risk of further damage and, ultimately, death.' Dogs with deep chests - like Great Danes, German Shepherds, Pointers, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, Boxers, and Greyhounds - are most at risk. However, the condition has been reported in nearly all breeds, including smaller dogs like Dachshunds, Shar Peis, and Basset Hounds. Common triggers include eating too quickly, overeating, drinking a large amount of water in one go, raised food bowls, stress, genetics, and, critically, exercising after eating. The warning has struck a chord with dog lovers online, many of whom shared heartbreaking stories in the comment section. 'I lost the most amazing dog to bloat. It is no joke. It happens unexpectedly. It is always an emergency and most dogs don't survive it. It is terrible' one person wrote. Another dog owner said the advice had likely saved their pet. 'I saw a post about this three years ago when I had not long had my staffy. I'm so glad I saw it. I used to feed her and take her for a walk straight after. It sparked me to learn more about being a dog parent - I realised pretty quickly there was heaps I didn't know.' Others are already taking precautions. 'We have three German Shepherds and anytime they eat, they have to wait at least one hour before walking or playing,' one user commented. The takeaway? Hold off on the walkies after mealtime - your dog's life may depend on it.