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Can syphilis on the lips be detected? Syphilis on the lip: congenital form and primary syphilis

Diseases

In the oral cavity it is caused by a harmful bacterium - Treponema pallidum. It penetrates into human tissues and lymph nodes through tiny lesions in the oral mucosa. This usually occurs when kissing a person infected with the disease or contact with objects that contain bacteria. All stages of syphilis are accompanied by a specific rash on the oral mucosa.

Symptoms of the disease

Manifestations of syphilis infection in the oral cavity at different stages of the disease are individual. 3-4 weeks after a person is infected, a chancre (hard chancre) appears on his lips, throat, tonsils, palate, as well as on the tongue or gums. It does not cause pain, but also does not respond to local antiseptic therapy. It disappears on its own after one and a half to two months. The formation of an ulcer occurs in several stages:

redness of the mucous membrane;
increase in red spot;
formation of inflammatory infiltrate;
chancre thickening;
formation of an erosional hill.

The chancre on the tongue and lips is usually round, on the gums - oval, in the corners of the lips - resembles an inflamed crack. In the later stages of syphilis, the following appears abundantly in the oral cavity:

roseola (bright red spots);
papules (dense nodular formations);
gummas (deep brown nodules);
dense brown tubercles.

After they heal, scars remain on the mucous membrane. Similar rashes can occur over many years. They either disappear for a very short time, then appear again, on a more serious scale.

The causative agent of syphilis in the oral cavity is the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The warm and moist environment of the oral cavity is favorable for it. Once here, treponema actively invades the mucous membrane, and then into deeper tissues and lymph nodes. The speed of penetration of the bacterium into the body is due to its spiral shape and ability to perform a variety of movements. Infection occurs through:

saliva when kissing;
sperm during oral sex;
personal hygiene items;
non-sterile dental instruments.

Treponema pallidum persists on objects used by a person with active syphilis for up to 13 hours. Infection is facilitated by the presence of:

abrasions on the lip;
microcracks in the oral mucosa;
damage to the mucosa during injections.

The disease can be localized in different areas of the oral cavity: on the outer and inner sides of the lips, in the mouth on the soft and hard palate, on the gums, often on the tongue, tonsils. It is accompanied by enlargement and hardening of the submandibular lymph nodes. The sooner a sick person contacts specialists, the more effective the treatment will be, the fewer complications the disease will cause.

Which doctor should I contact?

If an ulcer of unknown origin appears in the mouth or on the lips and does not disappear for a long time, despite all the therapeutic measures taken, you need to rush to the doctor. Patients with an ulcer on the lip will be seen by a dermatologist, with erosion of the gums by a dentist, and lesions of the tonsils by an otolaryngologist. After the examination, the patient will be given a blood test. If a positive serological reaction is confirmed, the patient will be referred to a specialized dispensary to a doctor such as:

Sexually transmitted diseases do not always affect the surface of the genitals - sometimes clinical manifestations are diagnosed in the oral cavity. Treponema pallidum, after attaching to the surface of the mucous membrane, causes syphilis in the mouth to develop rapidly.

Despite the local damage, the threat to health is high to the same extent as when a rash occurs in the groin area.

Features of infection

Damage to the oral cavity occurs after unprotected oral contact with a partner who is a carrier of a sexually transmitted infection. There is a high risk of transmitting the pathogen through a kiss, as well as sharing utensils.

The appearance of an insidious disease is acceptable even after a visit to a medical institution where sanitary standards for disinfecting instruments are violated.

Methods of transmission of Treponema pallidum:

visiting a dentist's office;
examination by an otolaryngologist;
treatment of patients with venereal disease;
opening of the abscess.

Syphilis appears on the tongue and other parts of the mouth also probably after injections, blood transfusions and surgery in this area. During the incubation period, the patient feels depressed, weak, and experiences a relapse of chronic diseases.

Primary stage

As with damage to the genital organs, the development of the disease includes 3 stages. The first stage is characterized by a long wait for the first signs to appear, which develop a month after Treponema pallidum attaches to the body. In the second month (in 95% of those infected), although already after 1 week it is observed - a sign that is rarely given special significance.

However, gross pathological changes are more often diagnosed, leading to lymphadenitis, in which red swelling bumps form in places where the lymphatic system is localized (usually in the cervical, occipital and ear regions).

Clinical manifestations:

the presence of 1 or more chancre;
frequent projection - on the lips, tonsils and tongue;
rare location - on the gum;
sizes - from 5 to 20 mm;
no ulcer pain.

The chancre is red in color, has hard edges and a soft center that often dies. If the treponema is attached to the wound located at the entrance to the mouth, then syphilis on the lips is diagnosed, which differs from colds on the lips in the absence of small blisters with wet contents, as well as a dense crust.

From purulent tonsillitis, the lesion is differentiated by the side of the lesion - with a sexually transmitted disease, only one side of the tonsil is damaged. Another important marker is the appearance and development of an ulcer, which on the tonsils often turns white rather than red. It does not cause pain, but during the period of enlargement itching may occur. The development of pain syndrome is observed only after the disease progresses.

Difference from other types of rashes: chancre has a round shape. Occasionally it takes the form of a groove hidden in the lingual fold.

Secondary stage

Protected sexual contacts and visits to medical organizations with a high reputation, which guarantee protection against household transmission of treponema pallidum, remain effective ways to prevent infection.

Syphilis was first discovered in Italy back in 1945, but scientists around the world are still powerless against this disease.

According to statistics, today it affects mainly women and men aged 19-29 years. Why this disease is so dangerous, everyone needs to know how to protect themselves from it.

What is the disease

Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease. It occurs by infection of the body with the spiral-shaped bacterium Treponema pallidum (Trepomenapallida).

When infected, the location of the primary symptoms is the oral cavity, because its mucous membrane is quite sensitive and easily damaged.

How does infection occur?

Syphilis can be either congenital or acquired.

It is rare, but it happens that a syphilitic infection enters the body of the unborn child through the mother's placenta.

However, most often, if a woman is sick with a similar disease in an active form, the pregnancy ends in miscarriage at an early stage.

Therefore, acquired syphilis is more common.

You can get an infection in several ways:

Having sex without condoms and being promiscuous.

Today, science has not come up with a safer means than a rubber contraceptive, which in some cases can actually save lives.

After all, even if you engage in oral sex (through which most sexually transmitted diseases are not transmitted) without a condom, there is a high probability of contracting oral syphilis. Especially if you do it with an unfamiliar partner.

Through violation of sterilization rules.

This is possible at an appointment with a dentist or cosmetologist. If the dentist does not sterilize instruments properly, then the infection from the previous client will quickly spread to the next one.

As for beauty salons, in accordance with hygiene rules, brushes and tampons with which cosmetics are applied must be disposable and discarded after use.

Previously, it was believed that a prerequisite for infection with syphilis in such situations was the presence of wounds or scratches on the gums, palate, and tongue. However, today doctors are increasingly inclined to believe that the infection can penetrate the body even in the absence of damage.

Direct entry of Treponema pallidum into the blood.

Using one syringe for several patients, poor sterilization of surgical instruments, as well as emergency blood transfusion (when it is physically impossible to check the fluid for infections) can lead to the pathogen entering a healthy body.

When using the same household items with an already infected person (mugs, toothbrushes, cigarettes, razors, cutlery).

Separately, it is necessary to say about the risk group. This includes dentists and gynecologists, who, as part of their duties, often and actively come into contact with patients with syphilis.

To avoid infection, it is extremely important to maintain good personal hygiene and use sterile equipment when treating such patients.

Syphilis on the lips is also dangerous because often a person may not be aware of the presence of an infection in his body, because the disease has a rather long incubation period.

Stages of the disease, their symptoms

Once in a new environment, a harmful bacterium does not immediately manifest itself. Usually the period of its adaptation takes from 3 weeks to a month.

If a person is taking antibiotics at this time or already has a chronic pathology, then the infection can take root even longer.

This is the period of incubation, when a person does not yet know that he is sick, but is already capable of infecting others.

First stage. It begins with the appearance of chancre - a painless ulcer that at first looks like dense redness on the mucous membrane, but over time grows to a lump with a diameter of 10-15 mm.

If the infection enters the body through the mouth, the first chancre will appear at the site of entry. As it develops, erosion will appear at its top, covered with a gray-yellow coating.

Depending on the location in the oral cavity, the chancre can change:

in the corners of the lips it looks like cracks;
looks like oblong cuts on the gums;
takes on a round shape on the lips and gums.

The first stage usually lasts 1-1.5 months and is accompanied by aching bones, weakness, migraines, and fever.

By detecting chancre in a timely manner and seeking help from specialists, the patient has the best chance of successful treatment.

Second stage. It occurs 2 months after infection. At this stage, syphilis is most contagious.

Externally, the second stage manifests itself through the appearance of roseola (bright red spots), which are symmetrically scattered in different areas of the mucosa.

And a month later they are replaced by papules - small pimples, under the gray coating of which blood-red erosions are hidden.

They are characterized by an asymmetrical arrangement, and in some places these rashes can even accumulate into entire foci of inflammation.

Due to their presence, the papillae disappear on the tongue, and reddish plaques appear instead. Peeling of the skin on the lips begins, which causes significant discomfort.

Primary chancre does not cause pain, but touching papules and cracks in the corners of the mouth causes extremely painful sensations.

In parallel with this, inflammation begins in the lymph nodes under the jaw, and rashes are also possible throughout the body.

A particularly severe form of the second stage involves the appearance of purulent pustules coupled with an elevated temperature, which, without proper treatment, quickly develop into syphilis of the respiratory tract.

Third stage.

This is a period that can last from several months to a couple of years. When the disease is in full swing, it provokes the appearance of nodes (gummas) in the mucous membrane, which will grow over time, acquiring a brown tint. They are mainly localized on the lips, tongue, and upper palate.

As the gumma grows, it turns into a full-fledged mound, in the center of which an ulcer appears.

This process does not cause much pain, but the growth of the ulcer can take several months, ending with the formation of a scar at the site of the tubercle. In the future, the process will be repeated over and over again if therapy is not started.

Syphilis is characterized by both exacerbations, when it causes significant inconvenience, and periods of calm. But in any of these forms, the disease is contagious to others.

How is the disease diagnosed and treated?

Syphilis of the oral cavity is similar in its symptoms and course to a large number of different ailments, so the sooner you start diagnosing, the sooner a diagnosis will be established and treatment will be prescribed.

Having discovered a suspicious formation in the oral cavity or on the lip, you must urgently contact a medical institution for the help of a venereologist.

But, given that chancre is a painless phenomenon, many at the first stage of syphilis on the lips ignore this rule.

At this stage, diagnosis of the disease includes examination, palpation of the neoplasm (the chancre differs in its characteristics from the rashes that are possible with other diseases), and conducting various types of tests to identify the infectious agent in the chancre.

At the second stage, recognizing the disease is much more difficult. To do this, scraping of matter from the surface of the papules is done, as well as tests of serological reactions.

The doctor will also evaluate the presence of secondary signs: absence of pain, resistance to medications, dynamics of the disease.

At the third stage, it is difficult to detect Treponema pallidum in the composition of gummas and tubercles; RIF and RIBT studies are more effective, which can identify the bacterium.

It is impossible to cure syphilis on the lips on your own, so self-medication is strictly contraindicated in such patients and can lead to significant deterioration.

The primary goal of therapy is to destroy the pathogen, and then remove the consequences and possible complications.

Treatment in this case is carried out simultaneously in two directions: suppression of bacteria using antibiotics of the penicillin group, as well as increasing the body's resistance by taking immune-strengthening drugs.

If an allergic reaction to penicillin is observed, doctors prescribe alternative medications.

If complications occur in the form of a disease of the nasopharynx, additional medications are prescribed to rinse the cavity and oil aerosols to stabilize the functioning of the mucous membrane of these organs.

The duration of treatment depends on a number of factors:

complexity of the disease (if the disease is detected at the first stage, treatment takes several weeks, while syphilis on the lips of the third stage takes years to be treated);
patient's health status;
taking medications correctly;
continuity of the course of therapy.

Treatment is carried out in several stages, each of which has its own characteristics. The process combines both oral medications and injections.

Doctors often prescribe breaks between treatment courses.

During the treatment period, it is important that patients suspend sexual activity for a while, and also warn the medical staff during various procedures about their disease.

At the end of therapy, you must undergo a full medical examination.

Consequences and possible complications

In the absence of timely treatment, the harmful effects of syphilis will only intensify. Although outwardly the symptoms will be visible less and less, this will not be a sign of improvement, but of a worsening situation.

In its advanced form, the disease will lead to:

the death of matter in place of the chancre;
depletion of tissues and bones in the body;
damage to the cervical and facial nerves and tissues;
depletion of blood vessels, which can cause severe blood loss;
brain damage.

The respiratory organs are usually affected first, and then the infection spreads further throughout the body, eventually affecting the central nervous system.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones

Considering the destructive power of syphilis, its ability to be latent, as well as a variety of symptoms, which complicates diagnosis, prevention of this disease is extremely important.

Absence of promiscuity and protected sex are the main rules that will help avoid unwanted consequences.

The following measures are also effective in preventing syphilis on the lips:

undergo regular medical examinations;
have individual hygiene products and household appliances for each family member;
try to use disposable tableware in public catering places (cafes, restaurants, bars);
regularly takes care of personal hygiene;
lead a healthy lifestyle;
have a balanced diet.

Prevention does not require much effort, but it greatly increases a person’s chances of being protected from the disease.

It is extremely difficult to completely get rid of syphilis in the mouth, however, in the early stages of detection of the disease, the success rate is quite high, while treatment at the third stage rarely allows you to completely get rid of the disease.

It is important to remember the fact that the human body does not develop immunity against syphilis, so there is always a risk of contracting the infection again.

this is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum(treponema pallidum). The disease is a sexually transmitted infection, so the attitude towards syphilitics is usually sharply negative. However, to become infected with syphilis, you do not have to lead a wild lifestyle.

Routes of infection

Treponema pallidum enters the human body as follows:

sexually;
in utero;
through non-sterile medical instruments in dentistry;
household method: through toothbrushes and other personal hygiene products;
through wounds on the oral mucosa.

The first variant of syphilitic infection is the most common. Moreover, the causative agent of the disease can enter the body even through a kiss, especially if there are cuts or ulcers on the oral mucosa.

Syphilis can be congenital. The baby becomes infected with it from the mother during intrauterine development. With timely medical intervention and full medical monitoring of the progress of pregnancy, intrauterine infection with a syphilitic infection can be avoided.

Syphilitic infection can be contracted during dental treatment or surgery. In this case, Treponema pallidum enters the body through poorly processed medical instruments.

Doctors are a particular risk group for contracting sexually transmitted infections. The causative agent of syphilis on the tongue can enter their body if basic precautions are not observed during the examination and treatment of the patient’s teeth and oral mucosa.

Stages, signs and symptoms of syphilis in the mouth

There are three main stages of syphilitic infection. The first one is easy to treat, but it is quite difficult to detect it in time. The last two stages of the disease usually occur in a chronic form and can cause irreparable harm to the body. Complete healing in the final stages of the disease is impossible.

In addition to the three main stages of the infectious process, there is an incubation period. At this time, the patient does not yet show symptoms of syphilis in the mouth.

Incubation period

The incubation period lasts 2–3 weeks from the moment of infection with a syphilitic infection. Many people attribute this period of development of the disease to primary syphilis, but since it is almost impossible to detect the disease during the specified period, experts distinguish it into a separate stage.

The incubation period for oral syphilis may be longer if:

the patient takes antibiotics for other diseases: colds, flu;
The infected person has good immunity, capable of fighting the pathogen for a long time.

In women, visible signs of syphilis in the mouth usually appear later than in men, since the incubation period of the disease lasts longer for them.

Primary stage

The main manifestation of the primary stage of syphilitic infection is the formation of a hard chancre on the tongue, palate or lip. If infection occurs through a damaged mucous membrane of the oral cavity, then a seal forms exactly in the place where the wound is located. At first, chancre looks like normal redness.

The affected area gradually grows and can reach several centimeters in diameter. Erosion appears in the center of the lesion, having a bright red tint. Until this moment, chancre does not cause the patient any discomfort, so it is difficult to detect it at the first stage of the disease.

Chancre in the mouth is far from the only symptom of a sexually transmitted disease. The disease may be accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes. This means that the syphilitic infection has reached them. In turn, such a lesion leads to general malaise, weakness, and pain reactions.

Secondary stage

If treatment is not started within two months after contracting syphilis, the disease will develop into a secondary form. At this stage of sexually transmitted infection, formations in the form of roseola and papules appear in the oral cavity.

Papules are rashes that are round in shape, but without clear outlines. They can appear on the tongue, palate, throat and tonsils. Ulcers can form in one place and thereby form large lesions. If a papule appears on the tongue, the sensitive papillae atrophy in this area, a plaque appears, under the surface of which inflamed red tissue is hidden.

Roseolas look a little like papules. They are spots that most often appear near the teeth, on the palate and tonsils. Due to their bright red color, roseolas stand out against the background of the oral mucosa. They do not cause the patient much discomfort, so until papules appear, a person may not even be aware of a syphilitic infection.

Photo: this is what secondary syphilis looks like in the mouth

In addition to the appearance of roseola and papules, the secondary stage of syphilis on the tongue is distinguished by the following:

it is most contagious to others;
the rash appears not only in the mouth, ulcerative lesions spread to the skin of the body and face;
the infection affects internal organs, so a general deterioration in health is possible.

If the second stage of syphilitic infection is detected, the patient is immediately isolated. All his relatives must be tested for the presence of Treponema pallidum in their bodies.

Tertiary stage

The tertiary stage of syphilis in the oral cavity is characterized by the most striking manifestations: lumpy rashes or gummas appear on the gums near the teeth, on the tongue and palate. The last stage of development of the disease begins only 3–4 months after infection and only in the complete absence of treatment. It is impossible to get rid of an advanced sexually transmitted infection without consequences.

Tertiary syphilis begins painlessly and even unnoticeably. A node (gumma) appears on the oral mucosa. Such formations can be everywhere, but most often they are located on the tongue, lip or palate.

The node gradually increases in size, becomes painful and acquires a brown tint. The tissue in the middle of the gumma dies and an open ulcer forms. The dense tissue around the ulcer rises above the level of the mucous membrane of the affected area of the oral cavity.

With proper treatment, the healing process of soft tissues of the oral cavity affected by tertiary syphilis takes from 3 months to six months. A noticeable scar remains in place of the gumma. If the formation has managed to destroy a large area of soft tissue of the tongue, palate or lip, plastic surgery may be required.

Lumpy syphilitic rashes often appear on the lips. They are localized in groups and at first do not cause much discomfort. As the bumps grow, they gradually turn into small open wounds. When the ulcers that appear in the mouth due to tertiary syphilis heal, they leave permanent scars.

Consequences of the disease

Syphilis is a dangerous disease that can lead to serious consequences. Among them:

Extensive damage to the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity.
Dead areas of soft tissue in the mouth and noticeable scars in the area of chancre, papules and nodes.
Disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Damage to the muscles of the face and neck.
Facial asymmetry.

Without treatment, syphilis spreads to adjacent tissues. The disease can even affect the brain, which can have serious consequences, including death.

Diagnosis of the disease

A dermatovenerologist is involved in identifying and treating syphilitic infectious diseases. In the second and third stages, the disease is easily identified by external signs. An experienced specialist will accurately distinguish a hard chancre or papule on the lip, palate, gum and other parts of the oral cavity from formations that look similar. Initial syphilis can only be detected through a blood test.

Since syphilis can be completely cured only if therapy is started within the first months after infection, tests to identify this sexually transmitted disease are taken during any comprehensive examination.

Features of treatment

The main goal of therapy for syphilis in the oral cavity is to suppress the pathogen. For this, the patient is prescribed a number of medications with an antibacterial effect. To improve the effect of basic medications, it is necessary to take drugs that normalize the functioning of the immune system.

Since secondary and tertiary syphilis manifests external symptoms - papules, ulcers, gummas, the patient is prescribed drugs that improve tissue regeneration. If there are chancres, roseolas or papules on the patient’s tongue, ointments are prescribed to heal them. Usually preference is given to those drugs that have a healing, antiseptic and analgesic effect.

When treating the tertiary stage of the disease, in addition to drug therapy, surgery may be required. The patient either has the affected tissue restored or the scars that interfere with a full life are removed.

In addition, treatment in the final stages of sexually transmitted infection differs in the following:

It is no longer possible to completely get rid of syphilis in the oral cavity. You will have to visit a specialist at least once every six months to check your health.
Even if the disease is in an inactive stage, the patient may remain a carrier. Therefore, additional precautions need to be taken.

A person who has had syphilis must constantly monitor their health. It is better to get rid of all bad habits, start eating right and exercising. All this is necessary to improve immunity and prevent relapses of the disease.

The causative agent of the disease, Treponema pallidum, enters the body through damage to the skin and mucous membranes. Unfortunately, in addition to sexual relations, infection can occur through the blood, placenta of a sick mother to the child, through unsterile instruments, as a result of the use of syringes used by sick people.

Introducing itself into the human body, treponema begins to rapidly settle into tissues. The incubation period lasts until the microorganism enters the bloodstream. On average, this happens from one week to six months.

Primary syphilis in the oral cavity manifests itself in the form of a hard ulcer - a chancre, which disappears on its own after a month.

The secondary phase is marked by the development of rashes of various types. When it ends, intervals of relative remission are periodically interrupted by exacerbations of the disease.

The tertiary stage occurs after several years. A pathogenic organism causes pathologies of organs and the nervous system. In patients who have omitted drug treatment, disorders of the functioning of important vital systems, hearing and vision impairment, and pathologies of the membranes of the brain may occur. During this period, syphilis in the mouth is observed in the form of dense lumps and nodes - gummous syphilides.

Syphilis is an infection that can be transmitted between people in various ways and poses a direct threat to life. Foci of syphilis can be located in intimate areas, on the arms, and torso. In recent years, cases of infection in the mouth have become more frequent. The following photos in the new collection of the site Obolezi.com will demonstrate what it looks like.

Signs of syphilis on the tongue

Regardless of whether the infection enters the body through household or genital transmission, treponemes begin to spread to the mucous membranes. Inflammations will be diagnosed on the cheeks, tongue, gums and lips. The manifestations of syphilis vary depending on the stage of the disease. Acute sore throat and cough (as with tuberculosis) are extremely rare symptoms, so you should focus on the external manifestations of the pathology.

Primary period

Primary syphilis occurs one month after infection. 6 weeks after the formation of chancre, the symptoms disappear even without treatment, but this does not mean that the disease has completely disappeared. The appearance of hard chancre is the most characteristic symptom of the primary stage. After a week, the lymph nodes become inflamed, which is how the body reacts to the proliferation of treponemas.

Primary syphilis can manifest as a single chancre or multiple ulcers. Lumps will be observed on the lips, tonsils or tongue. It is extremely rare that ulcerative inflammation is observed on the soft or hard palate, cheeks, and gums. The appearance and size of the chancre depends on the immune system and the presence of concomitant diseases. The diameter of the ulcers ranges from 5 to 20 mm.

In a healthy person, during primary syphilis, seals with a necrotic center first appear in the mouth, and then ulcers form.

Secondary period

With the successful development of bacteria, a secondary period of syphilis begins, papules or roseola appear. They will be localized on:

tonsils;
palatal iris;
language;
cheeks;
soft palate.

Syphilitic roseola is red in color. The rashes may merge with each other, forming large areas with a clear outline. Syphilis does not affect the general health, so if the patient does not notice lumps in the mouth, the disorder will continue to progress.

Papular syphilides look somewhat different. They have a round shape and a denser consistency. The rashes do not cause discomfort when touched; they have a rich red color. Irritation in the oral cavity provokes the formation of erosion papules; they are located on the tip of the tongue and in the corners of the mouth.

The secondary period of development of syphilis in the mouth manifests itself:

The occurrence of ulcerative syphilides on the tonsils or palate.
The location of the papules on the tongue may distort the taste sensations.
Papules appear in the corners of the mouth, which look like jams.
Hoarseness or complete loss of voice occurs when papules form on the vocal cords.
Over time, syphilide of the mucous membrane in the nose develops.

In addition to the described rashes, the patient may develop pustular syphilide. In this case, a painful purulent ulcer is formed, which significantly affects the general condition of the patient.

For clarity, we have placed a photo that shows what secondary syphilis looks like.

Tertiary period

A characteristic symptom of tertiary syphilis is gumma on the oral mucosa and skin. At this stage, serious disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, internal organs and pathological changes in bone tissue are observed.

Gummas with an infectious disease can appear in any part of the oral cavity. One or more ulcers are usually observed. Initially, the patient develops a node; it does not cause discomfort and grows to 15 mm in diameter. Then an ulcer appears in the center of the compaction, which has a necrotic core. After this, the gumma becomes painful.

Multiple seals in the mouth are diagnosed in severe cases. At the same time, the tongue thickens and becomes hard, cracks and tubercles form. The changes affect speech and make it difficult to eat. The tongue becomes white or gray.

If gummas form on the palate or gums, the infection affects the bone tissue and provokes necrosis.

Syphilis does not appear on the tongue immediately. Some time passes from the moment the bacteria penetrates until symptoms develop.

The incubation period of the disease at the first stage is most often up to 4 weeks;
After the asymptomatic period ends, the first signs can be noticed;
They can be found in different parts of the body;
The first signs of syphilis can often be seen in the mouth.

Spots on the tongue with syphilis are quite rare; this requires damage to the mucous membrane.

You can notice these manifestations yourself.

What does syphilis look like on the tongue?

Symptoms vary depending on the specific stage of the disease.

There are primary, secondary and tertiary periods.

Let's talk about each separately.

Ulcers on the tongue with syphilis in the primary period are characterized by the formation of chancre.

It can have several clinical forms.

Chancre can appear in the form of erosions.

In this case, the formation is not painful and does not have areas with infiltration.

An ulcerative form may appear with a depression in the center of the wound.

A sclerotic form is distinguished.

This formation is large in size.

Forms of ulcers that are not typical for syphilis may appear.

Atypical forms can often be confused with other diseases.

During the secondary period of syphilis, rashes appear on the tongue.

The rash on the tongue with syphilis is multiple.

The rashes look like papules.

They can be found not only in the language.

They also appear on the cheeks, corners of the mouth and tonsils.

The spots will be bright red.

There is no pain noted.

They attract attention mainly due to their bright colors.

Rashes can change shape due to injury.

The presence of syphilis can be accurately determined using serological tests.

Tertiary syphilis on the tongue manifests itself in the form of secondary manifestations of syphilides.

Formed on the gumma tongue.

Such formations are located one at a time.

Gummas appear from the deep tissue structures of the tongue.

In this case, no particular discomfort is noted.

Such a tubercle grows quite slowly.

Can reach the size of a walnut.

Subsequently, the gumma disintegrates and an ulcer forms.

When healing occurs, scars remain.

They lead to deformation of the tongue.

Chancres with syphilis on the tongue can be confused with symptoms of other diseases. This is due to their atypical location.

Syphilis on the tongue: differences from herpes and candidiasis

It is possible to distinguish herpes from syphilis or other diseases only with the help of a doctor.

Rashes on the skin or mucous membranes can be a sign of absolutely any disease.

Let's look at the differences between rashes with syphilis and herpes in the mouth.

Signs of herpes will be as follows:

Chills;
Weakness;
Tingling at the site where the vesicle appears on the lip;
Burning;
Malaise.

Manifestations may vary slightly depending on the type of causative virus.

There are three main types.

The first type of herpes appears as vesicles around the mouth.

When advanced, it damages the mucous membrane of the eye.

The second type, or genital herpes, appears in the form of large blackheads.

Such formations have white content inside.

Due to this, you can feel the unpleasant smell of pus.

The third type of herpes is isolated in children.

It is called chickenpox, or shingles.

With such diseases, numerous rashes are observed.

This rash has no smell.

Herpes types 1 and 2 are more similar to syphilis.

The mucous membranes of the mouth are affected.

Unlike syphilis, the rashes contain a cloudy liquid.

The rash can remain in this state for up to four days.

After this, the bubbles burst and erosion forms in their place.

The distinctive features of herpes are the absence of hard and soft chancre.

In addition, with syphilis the temperature does not change.

When the herpes virus enters the body, it is accompanied by fever.

To accurately determine the cause of rashes in the mouth, it is necessary to undergo tests.

Candidiasis differs from syphilis in the presence of a cheesy coating.

In addition, there is hyperemia of the mucous membranes and skin at the site of the lesion.

Such lesions are painful and are usually located on the side of the tongue.

Unlike the manifestations of syphilis, candidiasis has uneven outlines.

The surface is grayish in color.

Prevention

A hard chancre in the mouth is the first sign of infection. At the same time, nearby lymph nodes become inflamed.

Ulcers form in the oral cavity and its different zones. Thus, it may appear:

Hard chancre on the tongue;
On the mucous tissues of the throat - on the pharynx and larynx;
Syphilis on the lip;
Ulcers even form on the inner lining of the cheeks, palate, gums and tonsils.

As a rule, ulcers on the gums have an elongated shape, sores develop in the corners of the lips and look like cracks. Syphilis on the lip or tongue looks like a round sore rising above the surface of the skin or mucous tissue, with clearly defined boundaries, usually red.

True, sometimes syphilis on the tongue can form in the form of a narrow gap. Chancre in the mouth can form in the singular or several sores, quite large, may appear at once. In the primary stages, the ulcer has a pink or bright red color, in the middle there is erosion - such a sore reaches a size of 2 cm.

Syphilis can be either congenital or acquired.