Rashes on skin and related itching can be troublesome and irritating for most people. Rashes may appear on any body part but for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) related rashes, they are more likely to appear around mouth, around or on the genitals and on inner thighs.
STDs that are most likely to cause rashes are HIV, Syphilis and Herpes.
It is always important to know the source and the cause of the rash on your skin. People who are sexually active are at high risk to get exposed to STDs that cause rashes. In this case, it is vital to get tested for STDs and play it safe.
In this article, we explain in detail the types of STDs that cause rashes on the body, other symptoms of STDs, how to get tested for STDs, and at-home testing kit options.
Do STDs Cause Skin Rash?
STDs are infections that are commonly seen in sexually active persons, particularly where safe sex isn’t practiced. According to the Center for American Progress (CAP), nearly 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases are diagnosed every year in the United States. There are more than 20 different types of STDs that are caused by different bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast, and other microorganisms that are spread from one person to another via sexual contact, i.e. vaginal, anal, oral sex, genital touching, and exchange of body fluids .
Some STDs cause skin rash and dry skin symptoms around the genitals, mouth, and other parts of the body, appearing 2 – 3 weeks after the initial exposure. The most common STDs that have skin rashes as one of the symptoms are HIV, Herpes and Syphilis. Generally, along with the skin rash on the body, STDs also exhibit various other symptoms in men and women. They are:
STD Symptoms in Women
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Lower abdominal pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
STD Symptoms in Men
- Thick penile discharge
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Swollen testicles
- Anal itching
- Irritation inside the penis
- Painful bowel movements
Common Symptoms of STDs for Both Males and Females
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Night sweat
- Fatigue
Book STD package covering HIV, Herpes, and Syphilis – STDs that cause skin rash
We have identified the top STD testing options across the US – center visit as well as a home test kit. Below are the top three options and the pricing for the STD testing.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
STD Check Labs
| Starting from
(Panel of 10 STDs is cheaper than getting tested for STDs that cause skin rash individually) |
LetsGetChecked(Home Test Kit)
| Starting from
(Panel of 8 STDs is cheaper than getting tested for STDs that cause skin rash individually) |
HealthLabs
| Starting from$139 (Panel of 10 STDs is cheaper than getting tested for STDs that cause skin rash individually) |
Types of STDs that Cause Skin Rash on the Body
Out of 20 different types of STDs, the STDs that cause skin rash symptoms are the following three:
Skin rash on genitals is the most common symptom of the above STDs. Some people could also get a sore throat and oral sores (rash-like) around the mouth. This is often seen in people who had oral sex with an STD-infected person, where the infection got transmitted to the mouth and the bacteria/virus started multiplying as the wet and warm environment of the oral cavity is favorable.
STDs Symptoms: Rash on the Inner Thigh, Genitals, and Buttocks
STDs such as genital herpes causes a rash on the groin area, particularly around the inner thigh and the genitals. Coming in contact with the genital fluids of an infected person you can easily get the infection and see symptoms like rash on thighs, genitals, and buttocks. This is due to the warm and moist nature of the inner thigh and genital area compared to any other part, as the STD causing microorganisms prefer that environment.
Sometimes the rash is not itchy and may be confused with other skin problems and left untreated. When STD rash on the body and other symptoms are not diagnosed and detected at an early stage, then can lead to severe health complications such as infertility and cancer. Therefore, it is always a good choice to get tested and play it safe.
STDs that Cause Skin Rash: Syphilis
Syphilis is an STD caused by bacteria called “Treponema Pallidum”. Syphilis generally affects your genitals, skin, and mucous membranes causing rashes/sores. This bacteria also has the potential to affect other parts of your body, including your heart and brain, however, this is rare.
The signs and symptoms of Syphilis are categorized into three stages, namely, primary, secondary, and tertiary. Some people do not experience any symptoms until the infection reaches the last and final stage – the tertiary stage, where the symptoms get severe. It is during the secondary stage of syphilis that skin rash on the body, especially on the genitals and mouth, start to appear. You can get syphilis sore if your genitals had direct contact with a syphilis sore (commonly knowns as a chancre). Syphilis rash typically does not itch.
Initially, a tiny, painless rash-like sore (chancre) will appear at the genitals, rectum, tongue, or lips. As the disease progresses and becomes severe, symptoms may include:
- Red or reddish-brown rash on different body parts including palms and soles
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Soreness and aching
It is vital to get checked for Syphilis STD at an early stage, without treatment, syphilis bacteria may multiply, leading to serious internal organ damage.
Some of the signs and symptoms of tertiary-last-stage syphilis include:
- Numbness
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Dementia
- Lack of coordination
If you are pregnant and suspect of being exposed to syphilis STD, it is of utmost importance to get treated as the condition makes it worse even for the growing fetus as there is a chance of passing the disease to the unborn infant during birth. This condition is called Congenital Syphilis – a life-threatening one.
STDs that Cause Skin Rash: Genital Herpes
Herpes infection is very common in the US. According to the latest statistics, more than one out of every six people aged 14-49 years are infected with genital herpes. Herpes is an STD caused by a virus called Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
Genital herpes occurs when the infection is seen in and around the genital areas, like the thigh and groin area. Women are more prone to get infected with genital herpes than men. Genital herpes can cause itching, pain, and skin rash in your genital area.
Genital herpes symptoms in men and women include skin rash on the:
- Penis
- Vulva
- Scrotum
- Anus
- Buttocks and thighs
- Urethra
Some of the other symptoms of genital herpes include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain and itching
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes
- Pain when urinating
- High temperature
- Malaise (feeling unwell)
- Red blisters on the skin
- Blisters and ulcers on the external genitalia, or the cervix
There is no cure for genital herpes. However, medications can help reduce the symptoms and the risk of spreading the infection to others. While the virus stays in the body, the symptoms of the diseases can subside over time especially if proper medical treatment is taken.
STDs that Cause Skin Rash: HIV
HIV is the most commonly known STD. It is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which attacks the CD4 White Blood Cells and causes damage to the immune system. HIV symptoms appear anywhere between two weeks to a month’s time. Early symptoms of HIV include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph glands
- Skin Rash
- Fatigue
However, people often confuse the symptoms with the common flu and often take it easy. But the virus stays low profile and keeps manipulating.
As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath, night sweats, prolonged fever, and more. Check out HIV RNA early detection test here.
How Are STDs Treated?
STDs can be treated if they are detected at an early stage. Treatment for STDs can be categorized into two groups based on the type of STD you are affected with – the treatment includes:
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics come in pills prescribed by your physician if you are affected with STDs that are caused by bacteria. STDs caused by bacteria include gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Typically, you’ll be advised to abstain from sex until seven days after you’ve completed antibiotic treatment and any sores have healed. It also advisable for women to take rest for three months because there is a high chance of reinfection.
- Antiviral Drugs: In the case of herpes or HIV, which are STDs caused by viruses, you will be prescribed an antiviral drug. Herpes and HIV cannot be cured completely, but they can be controlled and the symptoms can be reduced by taking antiviral drugs. This can help in keeping the STDs in check for many years. The sooner you start treatment, the more effective it is.
Is there an STD home test kit available?
There are STD home test kits available to get tested at home. You can order an STD test kit online from one of our testing providers. Order your STD home test kit now!
All you need to do is follow the instructions mentioned on the testing kit and post it back. STD home test kit requires a simple oral swab collection or an easy finger-prick blood spot collection or urine collection. The results will be mailed to you within 2 to 5 business days.
There are many advantages to getting a home STD kit. One of the clear advantages is that it works around your schedule. You take the sample and post it back at your convenience. The other major advantage is that it is discreet. One also avoids the conversation that takes place at the clinic. Our partner for home test kits, LetsGetChecked is a CAP and CLIA-certified lab so you should not have any worries about the testing quality. They follow HIPAA standards hence your information is safe with them.
However, going to the lab has its advantages too including speed of testing. Our lab visit partners are also well-certified and have a large network of lab centers. You always have a lab in your vicinity. Here is our comparison of different std testing providers in the US including planned parenthood std testing cost.
How much is the cost of the STD test?
There are many options available for STD testing, but we have identified the best and the most affordable STD testing partners. One is a provider of a home test kit while the other two require you to go to their centers near you. All the partners are well certified so the quality of testing is no concern at all.
The following table shows the details of our partners for STD testing.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
STD Check Labs
| Starting from
|
LetsGetChecked(Home Test Kit)
| Starting from
$74.25 |
HealthLabs
| Starting from$24 |
Providers location
STD tests can be done across the US in any of the states. Healthlabs and STDCheck have over 4500 labs each so you will never be too far away from an STD testing lab. LetsGetChecked sends an at-home STD testing kit across the US. Even though the home test kits are FDA certified and the testing takes place in CLIA-certified labs, current New York law prohibits at-home STD sample collection kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my STD testing cost?
No. Generally, providers do not accept insurance in order to ensure your privacy. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes. HSA / FSA cards are accepted.
How should I book my appointment for STD testing?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. You will receive a refund after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, LetsGetChecked and STDCheck provide doctor consultations for those who get positive result. In the case of HealthLabs, care providers are available throughout the process and they can answer any questions that you may have.
How do I receive my report?
In order to ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.