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What Are the Different Types of STD Rashes?

Elizabeth West
Elizabeth West

Rashes are often the first symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The most common STDs cause pain, discharge, and itching, along with redness and sores. Doctors use various tests to diagnose them, including visual observation of STD rashes, urinalysis, and blood samples.

One of the most obvious STD rashes is caused by syphilis. The disease first begins with a chancre, a painless sore that goes away without treatment, usually found on the genitals. A spotty rash then appears and can do so on any part of the body. The palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet are common places to find it. Syphilis is easily cured with penicillin, but if not treated it will eventually cause heart disease, blindness, and dementia.

Some STD rashes can be treated with prescription ointment creams.
Some STD rashes can be treated with prescription ointment creams.

STD rashes with blistering, painful sores may be genital herpes. The herpes simplex II virus is similar to that which causes cold sores, and the rash is comparable. A fever and fatigue may occur during an outbreak. Initial infection often causes the most severe symptoms. The virus is active even when the sores are not present, making the disease extremely contagious.

Blood testing is used for STD detection.
Blood testing is used for STD detection.

Genital warts cause unsightly rashes. Pink, soft growths appear on the penis or anus, and both around and in the vagina. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), certain strains of which can lead to cervical cancer in women. A vaccine for this virus is available and is recommended for females aged 9-26 years. Males in the same age group can take a variant that protects them against genital warts.

The presence of an STD rash indicates the need for tests to determine which disease may be present.
The presence of an STD rash indicates the need for tests to determine which disease may be present.

Scabies is not an STD but is often mistaken for a rash caused by an STD. It is the result of infection by a mite that burrows under the skin, resulting in severe itching, redness, and lines on the skin that resemble pencil marks. The mite spreads through close personal contact, including sex. Scratching can break the skin and sores may appear. The infection is treated with creams, and all bedding and clothing should be laundered in hot water to kill the mites.

A woman can get tested for multiple STDs while she is getting a pelvic exam and pap smear.
A woman can get tested for multiple STDs while she is getting a pelvic exam and pap smear.

The presence of STD rashes indicates the need for tests to determine which disease may be present. Diagnosing an STD can be done through blood or urine tests, and in some cases a swab is taken from the affected areas. HPV and chlamydia tests are performed by direct sample of cells from the cervix in women. They can be done at the same time as a Pap smear during an annual pelvic exam.

Discussion Comments

anon1003629

Through my annual Pap test, I think they discovered I had HPV which I must have contracted from my now ex husband. My doctor arranged for me to have this treated by the head gynecologist at the time. So whatever was removed. My husband was having an affair at the time with a woman from his work ,who had a history of getting around - I have never asked him if he has any symptoms. I was always faithful in my marriage and since being separated and then divorced. I have never had unprotected sex.

BAU79

@clippers - You might check with your local health department. Many of them offer treatment for certain STDS for free or for a very small charge. It is a public health initiative and they invest significant resources.

You might also try Planned Parenthood. They charge based on income, so if you do not make a lot of money you do not pay a lot either.

clippers

I think that I may have contracted an STD. I do not have health insurance and I have a pretty small income. Is there some place that I can get this checked out and treated for free or cheap? I want to get this taken care of but I am not sure how.

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    • Some STD rashes can be treated with prescription ointment creams.
      By: motorlka
      Some STD rashes can be treated with prescription ointment creams.
    • Blood testing is used for STD detection.
      By: Wojciech Sobiech
      Blood testing is used for STD detection.
    • The presence of an STD rash indicates the need for tests to determine which disease may be present.
      By: jarun011
      The presence of an STD rash indicates the need for tests to determine which disease may be present.
    • A woman can get tested for multiple STDs while she is getting a pelvic exam and pap smear.
      By: Zsolnai Gergely
      A woman can get tested for multiple STDs while she is getting a pelvic exam and pap smear.
    • Urinalysis is one test used to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
      By: Darren Baker
      Urinalysis is one test used to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasingly referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by medical professionals.
      By: Syda Productions
      Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasingly referred to as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by medical professionals.
    • While scabies is not an STD, the condition is often mistaken for STD rashes.
      By: Alexey Laputin
      While scabies is not an STD, the condition is often mistaken for STD rashes.