Genital herpes and genital pimples can both appear as small, pus-filled bumps on the skin, but there are key differences. For instance, a herpes rash often produces painful ulcers, while pimples only tend to hurt if a person presses on them.
Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) (also called a sexually transmitted disease, or STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes causes outbreaks of genital sores that disappear in days or weeks. At times, these genital sores can be mistaken for pimples.
Genital pimples will usually go away on their own in a few days. Contact your doctor if the pimple hasn't cleared up within a few weeks.
In the first stage of syphilis, a small, smooth sore develops on your genitals, mouth or lips. It may resemble a pimple and be so small and harmless that you don't even notice. This sore goes away on its own in about six weeks. In the second stage of syphilis, a rough, red or brown rash develops.
Both primary and secondary syphilis can show up on your face, and this usually happens by having oral sex with someone with genital lesions. Primary syphilis of the face will usually appear on the lips as a large, open sore. Sores may also be present on the tongue or inside the mouth.
Skin Rashes
The sudden appearance of red rashes on the face without any explanation can indicate the onset of an STD. This is a classic sign of Syphilis. The rashes start on the face and spread all over the body.
The rash may look red or brown, and have a flat or velvety appearance. It usually doesn't itch. The rash can also appear on the palms or soles of the feet, or as a general rash on the body. Large gray or white lesions may appear in moist areas in the groin, under the arms, or in the mouth.
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles become inflamed. It's often caused by an infection with bacteria. At first it may look like small pimples around the tiny pockets from where each hair grows (hair follicles).
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection
You can get it during sexual contact, and it's easily spread through non-sexual touching and by sharing clothes and towels, too. Both kids and adults can get molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum causes small, firm bumps or growths on your skin.
Sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless. Because the sore is painless, you may not notice it. The sore usually lasts 3 to 6 weeks and heals regardless of whether you receive treatment.
Primary syphilitic chancres are usually firm, round, small, and painless, and develop at the spot where the T. pallidum bacteria enter the body. The chancre lasts 1 to 5 weeks, and it heals without treatment.
There's no way to tell by looking if a person has an STD — even people who have STDs sometimes don't know it. If you have had sex before, you and your boyfriend can get tested together at a local health clinic like Planned Parenthood.
That said, there are some common symptoms of STDs, like itching, a burning sensation when you pee, and unusual and bad-smelling discharge. If you're noticing any of these, then you need to see a health care provider right away.
For the most part, a syphilis rash appears as pale, red spots on your chest, back, arms, legs, palms, and soles of your feet. The patches are symmetrical and tend to be non-itchy. The infection spreads through contact with the rash or sores, making the secondary stage of syphilis very contagious.
A single chancre marks the onset of the primary (first) stage of syphilis, but there may be multiple sores. The chancre is usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless. It appears at the location where syphilis enters the body.
Yes, when gonorrhea has spread through the bloodstream, it can affect your skin by causing a rash. The rash can look like little red spots of blood under your skin or large fluid-filled blisters.
Small bumps or tumors
In the late stage of syphilis, bumps (gummas) can develop on the skin, bones, liver or any other organ. Gummas usually disappear after treatment with antibiotics.
Genital warts are usually multiple, small, skin-colored bumps. They may eventually go away, or they may stay the same or multiply. They are contagious and caused by genital human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer in women and throat cancers in men.
Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They are flesh-colored and can be flat or look bumpy like cauliflower. Some genital warts are so small you cannot see them.