Syphilis Cutanea (Synonyms: Syphiloderma; Dermatosyphilis; Syphilis of the Skin.)
In what various types may syphilis manifest itself upon the integument?
Syphilis may show itself as a macular, papular (rarely vesicular), pustular, bullous, tubercular and gummatous eruption; or the eruption may be, in a measure, of a mixed type.
In what respects do the early (or secondary) eruptions of syphilis differ from those following several years or more after the contraction of the disease?
The early or secondary eruptions are more or less generalized, with rarely any attempt at special configuration. Their appearance is often preceded by symptoms of systemic disturbance, such as fever, loss of appetite, muscular pains and headache; and accompanied by concomitant signs of the disease, such as enlargement of the lymphatic glands, sore throat, mucous patches, falling of the hair and rheumatic pains.
State the distinguishing characters of the late eruptions.
The late eruptions (those following one or more years after the contraction of the disease) are usually of tubercular, gummatous or ulcerative type; are limited in extent, and have a marked tendency to appear in circular, semicircular or crescentic forms or groups. Pain in the bones, bone lesions and other symptoms may or may not be present.
What is the color of syphilitic lesions?
Usually, a dull brownish-red or ham-red, with at times a yellowish cast.
Are there any subjective symptoms in syphilitic eruptions?
As a rule, no; but in exceptional instances of the generalized eruptions, more especially in negroes, there may be slight itching.
Describe the macular, or erythematous, eruption of syphilis.
The macular syphiloderm is a general eruption, showing itself usually six or eight weeks after the appearance of the chancre. It consists of small or large, commonly pea- or bean-sized, rounded or irregularly-shaped, not infrequently slightly raised, macules. When well established they do not entirely disappear under pressure. At first a pale-pink or dull, violaceous red, they later become yellowish or coppery. The eruption is generally profuse; the face, backs of the hands and feet may escape. It persists several weeks or one or two months; as a rule, it is rapidly responsive to treatment.
How would you distinguish the macular syphiloderm from measles, rötheln and tinea versicolor?
Measles is to be differentiated by its catarrhal symptoms, fever, form and situation of the eruption; rötheln, by its small, roundish, confluent pinkish or reddish patches, its precursory pyrexic symptoms, its epidemic nature, and short duration; tinea versicolor by its scaliness, peripheral growth, distribution and history.
And, finally, by the absence or presence of other symptoms of syphilis.
What several varieties of the papular eruption of syphilis are met with?
There are two forms of the papular eruption—the small and large; those of the latter type may undergo various modifications.
Describe the small-papular eruption of syphilis.
The small-papular syphiloderm (miliary papular syphiloderm) usually shows itself in the third or fourth month of the disease, and consists of a more or less generalized eruption of disseminated or grouped, firm, rounded or acuminated pin-head to millet-seed-sized papules, with smooth or slightly scaly summits, and in some lesions showing pointed pustulation. Scattered minute pustules and some large papules are usually present. The eruption is profuse, most abundant upon the trunk and limbs; and in the early part of the outbreak is of a bright- or dull-red color, later assuming a violaceous or brownish tint. It runs a chronic course, is somewhat rebellious to treatment, and displays a tendency to relapse.
How would you distinguish the small-papular syphiloderm from keratosis pilaris, psoriasis punctata, papular eczema, and lichen ruber?
The distribution and extent of the eruption, the color, the grouping, with usually the presence of pustules and large papules and other concomitant symptoms of syphilis, are points of difference. Pustules never occur in the several diseases named, except in eczema.
Describe the large-papular eruption of syphilis.
The large-papular syphiloderm (or lenticular syphiloderm) is a common form of cutaneous syphilis, appearing usually in the first six or eight months, and consists of a more or less generalized eruption of pea- to dime-sized or larger, flat, rounded or oval, firmly-seated,
more or less raised, dull-red papules; with at first a smooth surface, which later usually becomes covered with a film of exfoliating epidermis. The papules, as a rule, develop slowly, remain stationary several weeks or a few months, and then pass away by absorption, leaving slight pigmentation, which gradually fades; or they may undergo certain modifications. In most cases it responds rapidly to treatment.What modifications do the papules of the large-papular syphiloderm sometimes undergo?
They may change into the moist papule and squamous papule.
Describe the moist papule of syphilis.
The change into the moist papule (also called mucous patch, flat condyloma) is not uncommon where opposing surfaces and natural folds of skin are subjected to more or less contact, as about the anus, the scroto-femoral regions, umbilicus, axillæ and beneath the mammæ. The dry, flat papules gradually become moist and covered with a grayish, sticky, mucoid secretion; several may coalesce and form large, flat patches. They may so remain, or they may become hypertrophic, warty or papillomatous, with more or less crust formation (vegetating syphiloderm).
Describe the squamous papule of syphilis.
This tendency of the large-papular eruption to become scaly, when exhibited, is more or less common to all papules, and constitutes the squamous or papulo-squamous syphiloderm (improperly called psoriasis syphilitica). The papules become somewhat flattened and are covered with dry, grayish or dirty-gray, somewhat adherent scales. The scaling, as compared to that of psoriasis, is, as a rule, relatively slight. The eruption may be general, as usually the case in the earlier months of the disease, or it may appear as a relapse or a later manifestation, and be limited in extent.
As a limited eruption it is most frequently seen on the palms and soles—the palmar and plantar syphiloderm. Occurring on these parts it is often rebellious to treatment.
How are you to distinguish the papulo-squamous syphiloderm from psoriasis?
In psoriasis the eruption is more inflammatory, and usually bright red; the scales whitish or pearl-colored and, as a rule, abundant. It is generally seen in greater profusion upon certain parts, as, for instance, the extensor surfaces, especially of the elbows and knees. It is not infrequently itchy, and, moreover, presents a different history.
In the syphilitic eruption some of the papules almost invariably remain perfectly free from any tendency to scale formation; there is distinct deposit or infiltration, and the lesions are of a dark, sluggish red or ham tint; and, moreover, concomitant symptoms of syphilis are usually present.
Describe the annular eruption of syphilis.
The annular syphiloderm (circinate syphiloderm) is observed usually in association with the large-papular eruption, and consists of several or more variously sized, ring-like lesions, with a distinctly elevated solid ridge or wall peripherally and a more or less flattened centre. It is commonly seen about the mouth, forehead and neck. The lesion appears to have its origin from an ordinary, usually scaleless or slightly scaly, large papule, the central portion of which has been incompletely formed or has become sunken and flattened. The manifestation is rare, and is seen most frequently in the negro.
What several varieties of the pustular syphiloderm are met with?
The small acuminated-pustular syphiloderm, the large acuminated-pustular syphiloderm, the small flat-pustular syphiloderm, and the large flat-pustular syphiloderm.
Describe the small acuminated-pustular eruption of syphilis.
The small acuminated-pustular syphiloderm (miliary pustular syphiloderm) is an early or late secondary eruption, commonly encountered in the first six or eight months of the disease. It consists of a more or less generalized, disseminated or grouped, millet-seed-sized, acuminated pustules, usually seated upon dull-red, papular elevations. The eruption is, as a rule, profuse, and usually involves the hair-follicles. The pustules dry to crusts, which fall off and are often followed by a slight, fringe-like exfoliation around the base, constituting a grayish ring or collar. Minute pin-point atrophic depressions or stains are left, which gradually become less distinct. Scattered large pustules, and sometimes papules, are not infrequently present.
Describe the large acuminated-pustular eruption of syphilis.
The large acuminated-pustular syphiloderm (acne-form syphiloderm, variola-form syphiloderm) is a more or less generalized eruption, occurring usually in the first six or eight months of the disease. It consists of small or large pea-sized, disseminated or grouped, acuminated or rounded pustules, resembling the lesions of acne and variola. They develop slowly or rapidly, and at first may appear more or less papular. They dry to somewhat thick crusts, and are seated upon superficially ulcerated bases.
It pursues, as a rule, a comparatively rapid and benign course. In relapses the eruption is usually more or less localized.
How would you distinguish the large acuminated-pustular syphiloderm from acne and variola?
In acne the usual limitation of the lesions to the face or face and shoulders, the origin, more rapid formation and evolution of the individual lesions, and the chronic character of the disease, are usually distinctive points.
In variola, the intensity of the general symptoms, the shot-like beginning of the lesions, their course, the umbilication, and the definite duration, are to be considered.
The presence or absence of other symptoms of syphilis has, in obscure cases, an important diagnostic bearing.
Describe the small flat-pustular eruption of syphilis.
The small flat-pustular syphiloderm (impetigo-form syphiloderm) consists of a more or less generalized, pea-sized, flat or raised, discrete, irregularly-grouped, or in places confluent, pustules, appearing usually in the first year of the disease. The pustules dry rapidly to yellow, greenish-yellow, or brownish, more or less adherent, thick, uneven, somewhat granular crusts, beneath which there may be superficial or deep ulceration; where the lesions are confluent a continuous sheet of crusting forms. The eruption is often scanty. It is most frequently observed about the nose, mouth, hairy parts of the face and scalp, and about the genitalia, frequently in association with papules on other parts.
Are you likely to mistake the small flat-pustular syphiloderm for any other eruption?
Scarcely; but when upon the scalp, it may bear rough resemblance to pustular eczema, but the erosion or ulceration will serve to differentiate. Moreover, concomitant symptoms of syphilis are to be looked for.
Describe the large flat-pustular eruption of syphilis.
The large flat-pustular syphiloderm (ecthyma-form syphiloderm) consists of a more or less generalized, scattered eruption, of large pea- or dime-sized, flat pustules. They dry rapidly to crusts. The bases of the lesions are a deep-red or copper color. Two types of the eruption are met with.
In one type—the superficial variety—the crust is flat, rounded or ovalish, of a yellowish-brown or dark-brown color, and seated upon a superficial erosion or ulcer. The lesions are usually numerous, and most abundant on the back, shoulders and extremities. It appears, as a rule, within the first year, and generally runs a benign course.
In the other type—the deep variety—the crust is greenish or blackish, is raised and more bulky, often conical and stratified, like an oyster shell—rupia; beneath the crusts may be seen rounded or irregular-shaped ulcers, having a greenish-yellow, puriform secretion. It is usually a late and malignant manifestation.
How would you differentiate the large flat-pustular syphiloderm from ecthyma?
The syphilitic lesions are more numerous, are scattered, are attended with superficial or deep ulceration, and followed by more or less scar-formation. Moreover, the history, and presence or absence of other symptoms of syphilis have an important diagnostic value.