A chancre is the primary symptom of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is manifested as a painless sore or ulcer that occurs at the site of the entry of the infection into the body. A chancre is considered to represent the beginning of the development of the disease. A chancre in cases of syphilis is important to recognize because early diagnosis and treatment can be the difference between life and death with this STI.
05 October 2024
8 min read
2820
Chancres usually happen in the genitals, mouth, lips, or any other point of contact with the infection. The following paper will explain in detail what a chancre sore is, what it looks like, the different parts of the body where the sores can occur, and the possible health dangers involved with the malady. We will also discuss the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to avoid the advancement of syphilis to stages that may become dangerous.
What is a Chancre?
A chancre is the painless sore or lesion that usually appears in the primary stage of syphilis. It forms in the area of the body where the bacteria entered, which may be direct sexual exposure with an infected person. While a chancre may appear like a pimple or just any sore, it has some specific characteristics setting it apart from other skin conditions.
They are usually circular or oval-shaped, with a raised edge and a smooth red base. As they usually do not hurt, it's another reason they might go unnoticed and even if they appear inside the vagina or rectum—a hard-to-view area.
How Does a Chancre Develop?
After the acquisition of syphilis through sexual exposure, incubation of the infection takes about 10 to 90 days. During this time, the bacterium multiplies in body tissues. Generally, the chancre lesion first appears after 3 weeks from exposure to the bacterium. It is usually regarded as the beginning of the disease, as it is the most distinctive sign of early syphilis infection.
Chancres heal spontaneously in 3 to 6 weeks, without treatment. This healing does not signify the end of the infection, though. Syphilis continues its course internally and will progress to more serious stages if not treated.
Locations of a Syphilis Chancre
A chancre can occur in any part of the body where the bacteria entered. Common places that could be affected with chancres include the genitals, mouth, and anus, though other locations are also possible.
Genital Chancres
The most frequent forms of syphilitic sores are the genital chancres. They may appear in both sexes. In men, the sore generally appears on the shaft of the penis, the foreskin, or the glans. In women, the site of appearance is generally in the vagina or labia. When the sores develop inside the vagina or anus, it is very hard to spot them. They usually give no pain and are not visible.
Chancre sore of the penis: One or more sores may appear on the penis. They typically do not hurt, are round, and usually red, and some may have a hard bottom in the middle. Many times, individuals will confuse these with a pimple or an irritated part of the skin.
Chancre sore on the vagina: These sores can form in the external or internal genital area. Because sores can take up inside the vaginal canal, most of the women remain unaware of the infection until later stages.
Oral Chancres
Chancres may also appear in the mouth, lip, and tongue following oral sex with an infected partner. These sores of the mouth can be mistaken for cold sores, canker sores, or other types of oral infections, whereby this may delay diagnosis.
Chancre Sore on the Lip: The presence of a sore may be wrongly attributed to cold sore or any other virement infection involving the lips. The distinguishing features, however, are that syphilitic chancres are normally not painful and are firm, smooth lesions.
Chancre Sore on the Tongue: Following exposure to syphilis infection orally, a sore may subsequently appear on the tongue. This lesion is painless and can very easily pass undiagnosed unless a proper examination is carried out.
Other Sites
Though rare, chancres can also appear on other areas, such as the anus, rectum, and, very rarely, the fingers. Due to their location and that they do not cause pain, such sores in the anus and rectum are usually not easily detectable.
Stages of Syphilis Chancre
The presence of a chancre means the beginning stage of the disease and thus plays a significant role in the early detection of syphilis.
Primary Stage
The chancre sore manifests the first stage of syphilis. During this period, the infection is most highly communicable and may last up to 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the body’s response.
During this stage, the only symptom of the disease is the chancre. Early diagnosis therefore remains challenging if the sore develops inside areas not more visible to examination, such as inside the vagina or mouth. If left untreated, the disease will progress to the secondary stage even though the chancre heals spontaneously.
Secondary Stage
If left untreated, syphilis will progress to its secondary stage, during which the symptoms become much more general: a skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes may occur. The chancre lesion or initial sore would have healed, but the bacteria are still active within the body.
Recognizing a Chancre Sore
A chancre sore is a common symptom of primary syphilis; it usually appears no different from many other skin ailments and as such can easily be mistaken. Following are some identification characteristics of a chancre sore:
Painless: Unlike other sores or ulcers, the chancre will be painless, in which case it becomes easy to ignore.
Round or Oval: The sore is commonly round or oval in shape, with a well-demarcated elevation.
Firm Base: Chancres have a hard, firm base, making them different from other kinds of pimples or blisters.
Smooth, Red Center: This base of the sore is smooth and reddish and at times with an appearance of wetness.
It has to be noted that chancres can be more than one at a time; although this is not common and usually, there is just one sore present.
Common Misdiagnoses: Pimples, Cold Sores, and Other Sores
Chancres are often the target of mistaken identity since they take on the appearance of other common sores or lesions. For example:
Pimples: It might be a no-brainer to mistake this for that due to its appearance. These are usually tender and pus-filled, though chancres are painless and smooth on the bottom.
Cold Sores: These are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Painful sores usually develop on the lips and may be preceded by a burning sensation. Chancres are painless and harder in texture.
Canker Sores: Canker sores are painful ulcers that appear in the mouth. Unlike chancres, which are painless and firm, canker sores are tender and have a soft base.
Complications of Untreated Chancres
While this chancre sore might heal in a few weeks without any other treatment, this does not really resolve the infection. If left untreated, syphilis will progress through its stages, becoming more dangerous and harder to treat as time goes on.
The longer the disease of syphilis has gone untreated, the greater the risk for severe complications—that include damage to the heart, the structure of the brain, and also other organs. Besides, untreated syphilis may lead one to serious neurological problems and may cause death in late stages.
Also, any person suffering from an active syphilis chancre infection is highly contagious and may easily transmit the infection to sexual partners. If a chancre sore is suspected, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment and Prevention
If you believe that you have a syphilis chancre on your body—whether that be on your penis, vagina, mouth, or on your genital area, you can purchase online a Syphilis rapid test kit, test yourself, or consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Most of the time, Syphilis diagnoses are made through different tests via your blood and sometimes directly from smegma of the sore chancre.
Syphilis is generally treated with the use of antibiotics. Among antibiotics, penicillin is often prescribed. The success of the treatment depends on how early in the disease it is started. Syphilis is curable if treated in its primary stage, and it will not advance into long-term complications.
Prevention of Chancres
The most effective way to avoid chancres and other complications of syphilis is through safe sexual practice. Safe sex with condoms and dental dams during sexual activities greatly reduces the risk. Regular STI screening and frank communication with sexual partners are also part of precautionary measures to prevent syphilis and other STIs.
The major thing one will do to diagnose the initial stages of syphilis is to identify a chancre sore. It may appear on the penis, vagina, mouth, lip, or tongue but is a sure sign that one has been infected with syphilis during its primary beginning stage. Moreover, it should not be taken lightly because it is painless and can easily be mistaken for some other skin condition. If left untreated, sy
For Men & Women
Results in Minutes
No Lab Needed
Private & Discreet
