Chancroid Symptoms – STI/STD Symptoms & Signs

Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Nancy Carteron, MD, FACR

STI/STD Symptoms – Typical Chancroid Symptoms

Within 1 day – 2 weeks after getting chancroid, a person will get a small bump in the genitals. The bump becomes an ulcer within a day of its appearance.

The ulcer may look like a chancre, the typical sore of primary syphilis.

The ulcer:

• Can be on the penis, rectum, and vulva — especially around the opening to the vagina. Sores may produce pus and be painful.
• Ranges in size from 1/8 inch to 2 inches across
• Is painful
• Is soft
• Has sharply defined borders
• Has a base that is covered with a grey or yellowish-grey material
• Has a base that bleeds easily if it is banged or scraped

About half of people with penises have only a single ulcer. People with vulvas/vaginas often have four or more ulcers. The ulcers appear in specific locations.

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In People with Penises

People with penises may notice a small, red bump on the genitals that may change to an open sore within a day or two. The ulcer may form on any area of the genitals, including the penis and scrotum.

Common locations are:

• Foreskin
• Groove behind the head of the penis
• Shaft of the penis
• Head of the penis
• Opening of the penis
• Scrotum

In People with Vulvas/Vaginas

People with vulvas/vaginas may develop four or more red bumps on the labia, between the labia and anus, or on the thighs. The labia are the folds of skin that cover the genitals. After the bumps become ulcerated (open), people may experience a burning or painful sensation during urination or bowel movements.

The most common location for ulcers is the outer lips of the vagina (labia majora). “Kissing ulcers” may develop. These are ulcers that occur on opposite surfaces of the labia.

Other areas, such as the inner vagina lips (labia minora), the area between the genitals and the anus (perineal area), and the inner thighs may also be involved. The most common symptoms in women are pain with urination and intercourse.

Additional Symptoms

• Pain may occur during sexual intercourse or while urinating.
• Swollen lymph nodes. About half of the people who are infected with a chancroid will develop enlarged inguinal lymph nodes, the nodes located in the fold between the leg and the lower abdomen.
• In half of people who have swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes, the nodes will break through the skin and cause draining abscesses. The swollen lymph nodes and abscesses are often called buboes.

• Chancroid Briefs
• STI/STD Symptoms
• Chancroid In-Depth
• Pictures of Chancroid
• STD Testing Centers
• List of All STIs/STDs
• Activities That Put You At Risk
• STDs in People with Penises
• STDs in People with Vulvas/Vaginas