Health · 23 August 2026
STIs can show up in unexpected places like eyes, hands and throat

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Sexually transmitted infections don't always appear in genitals, with 402,000 new diagnoses in 2025 highlighting the need to recognise other signs. Syphilis can cause a non-itchy rash on palms and soles, which can be mistaken for other skin conditions like eczema. Gonorrhoea and syphilis are capable of affecting the eyes and throat, and certain STIs may even result in joint pain.
Reported by Metro.co.uk · How we write briefs
