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)
