Secondary Syphilis Can Cause Alopecia Areata

Secondary syphilis is a systemic disease caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted by direct contact with a syphilis sore called a chancre on the genitals, lips, or in the mouth.⁽³⁷⁾

Syphilis, if left untreated, can progress through three stages—primary, secondary, and late (tertiary). Alopecia does not occur in primary syphilis unless there is a lesion on the scalp. Hair loss is common in the secondary (up to 2 months after chancres appear) and late stages (up to 2 years after primary stage).⁽³⁷⁾

In fact, a common presenting symptom of secondary syphilis is inflammatory, non-scarring, patchy hair loss. This is the typical type of hair loss, but occasionally a patient may present with diffuse hair loss mimicking telogen effluvium. Whether diffuse or patchy hair loss, hair typically regrows after treatment.⁽¹⁴⁴⁾

Conventional Treatment for Secondary Syphilis

Penicillin is the treatment of choice, but if a patient is allergic to penicillin the following antibiotics may be used:⁽¹⁴⁴⁾

• Doxycycline
• Rocephin
• Tetracycline

Herbal and Supplement Treatment Options for Secondary Syphilis

A couple of herbs have been traditionally used to treat symptoms of syphilis. Modern science suggests these herbs have properties that could be beneficial for alopecia areata related to secondary syphilis:

Copaiba

Question: What is copaiba?

Answer: Copaiba is a tree found in the rain forests of South America.⁽⁹⁸⁾

Question: How can copaiba help treat hair loss symptoms of secondary syphilis?

Answer: The essential oils extracted from the resin of the giant copaiba tree have been used as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat the symptoms of syphilis. It works by reducing the uptake of histamine by capillary walls.⁽⁹⁸⁾

Caution: Copaiba should only be used externally via a shampoo or oil tincture, since it can be toxic if taken internally.⁽⁹⁸⁾

Rooibos Tea

Question: How can rooibos tea treat hair loss symptoms of secondary syphilis?

Answer: Made from the fermented leaves of the rooibos tea tree found near Cape Town, Africa, rooibos tea is used for its anti-inflammatory properties in treating the symptoms of syphilis.⁽⁹⁸⁾