Chancroid in Teens

TeenThreads Real‑Talk Guide to a Painful but Treatable STI

Chancroid isn’t a word you hear every day in health class—but it’s a real sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause painful genital sores and swollen lymph nodes.

In many places, chancroid is rare, but it still exists and can show up in certain communities or areas with limited access to STI testing and treatment.

TeenThreads mission:
👉 Explain even the “uncommon” STIs so nothing catches you off guard.

What Is Chancroid? 

Chancroid is a bacterial STI caused by Haemophilus ducreyi. It mainly affects the genital area and causes:

• painful sores (ulcers) on the genitals
• swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin

Chancroid can increase the risk of getting or transmitting other STIs, including HIV, if left untreated.

Other Name(s)

• Chancroid infection
• Haemophilus ducreyi infection
• Soft chancre

(“Soft chancre” refers to the soft, painful sores it causes.)

Difference Between Chancroid and Similar Conditions

Chancroid is often confused with:

• Genital herpes
• Syphilis (especially primary syphilis)
• Trauma or cuts from shaving or friction
• Other genital skin infections

Key differences:

• Chancroid sores: usually painful, soft, with ragged edges and may ooze
• Syphilis sores: usually painless and firm
• Herpes sores: often start as blisters, then become painful ulcers

Only testing can tell for sure which infection is present.

Difference Between Normal and Abnormal State

Normal Genital State:

• No open sores or ulcers
• No painful bumps or lesions
• No swollen, tender lumps in the groin
• No unusual discharge from sores

Possible Chancroid Signs:

• One or more painful sores on the genitals, anus, or nearby skin
• Sores with soft, ragged edges and a gray or yellowish base
• Sores that may bleed or ooze
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin (may form large, painful lumps)

Any new, painful genital sore is a reason to get checked.

How Chancroid Shows Up (Patterns & Stages)

1️⃣ Initial Infection

• Small bump appears at the site of infection (genitals or nearby)
• Within a few days, the bump breaks down into a painful ulcer (sore)

2️⃣ Ulcer Stage

• One or more painful ulcers with soft, ragged edges
• May be red, inflamed, and tender
• Can bleed or ooze fluid

3️⃣ Lymph Node Involvement

• Swollen, painful lymph nodes in the groin (called “buboes”)
• Nodes may become large and very tender
• In some cases, they can break open and drain

Early treatment can prevent worsening and complications.

Causes (How Chancroid Spreads)

Chancroid spreads through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.

It can spread through:

• vaginal sex
• anal sex
• oral sex (less common, but possible if contact with sores occurs)

Chancroid does not spread through casual contact like hugging, sharing food, or using the same toilet.

Risk Factors

• Unprotected sex (no condoms or barriers)
• Multiple or new sexual partners
• Sex in areas where chancroid is more common
• History of other STIs

Risk ≠ judgment. It just means awareness and testing are important.

Who Is Vulnerable / Susceptible?

• Teens and young adults who are sexually active
• People with partners who have genital sores
• Anyone in regions or networks where chancroid is more common

Chancroid can affect any gender and doesn’t care about labels or stereotypes.

Complications (If Not Treated)

Untreated chancroid can cause:

• Large, painful ulcers that take a long time to heal
• Scarring of the genital area
• Ruptured, draining lymph nodes in the groin
• Increased risk of getting or transmitting HIV if exposed

Early treatment can prevent most of these complications.

Prevention 

• Use condoms during vaginal and anal sex
• Use barriers (like condoms or dental dams) for oral sex when possible
• Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has visible genital sores
• Get regular STI testing if sexually active
• Talk openly with partners about STI history and testing

Prevention = protecting your comfort, health, and future.

How Chancroid Develops

Exposure during sex → bacteria enter through tiny breaks in the skin → small bump forms → bump breaks down into a painful ulcer → lymph nodes in the groin may swell and become painful.

Testing and treatment interrupt this process and help prevent spread.

Common Symptoms 

• One or more painful genital sores
• Sores with soft, ragged edges and a gray or yellowish base
• Sores that may bleed or ooze
• Swollen, tender lumps in the groin
• Pain when walking, sitting, or during sex (if sores are irritated)

Any new genital sore—especially if painful—is a reason to see a healthcare professional.

What Other Problems Can Look Like Chancroid?

• Genital herpes
• Syphilis
• Trauma or cuts from shaving or friction
• Other bacterial skin infections
• Behçet’s disease or other rare conditions

Because many conditions can cause genital sores, testing is essential for a correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Tests

Chancroid can be tricky to diagnose because it’s rare in many places and requires specific testing.

A healthcare professional may:

• Ask about symptoms and sexual history
• Examine the sores and lymph nodes
• Test for other STIs (like herpes and syphilis)
• Send samples from the sore to a lab (if available) to look for Haemophilus ducreyi

In some cases, chancroid is diagnosed based on symptoms and ruling out other infections.

Treatment and Therapies

Good news:
Chancroid is treatable with antibiotics.

Treatment usually includes:

• Prescription antibiotics (single dose or short course, depending on the medication)

Key rules:

• Take all medication exactly as prescribed
• Avoid sex until sores are healed and your provider says it’s okay
• Make sure sexual partners are tested and treated
• Follow up if sores don’t improve or if new symptoms appear

With proper treatment, chancroid sores usually heal within a couple of weeks.

Statistics & Reality

• Chancroid is rare in many countries but still occurs
• More common in some regions with limited STI resources
• Often under‑diagnosed because it can look like other infections

Just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s impossible—especially if risk factors are present.

Alternative / Complementary Support

Helpful (with professional guidance):

• Keeping the area clean and dry
• Wearing loose, breathable clothing
• Pain relief as recommended by a provider
• Mental health support if you feel anxious or ashamed

These do not replace antibiotics. Chancroid requires medical treatment.

New Treatment Approaches

• Improved STI screening and awareness in high‑risk areas
• Better access to antibiotics and sexual health services
• Public‑health efforts to reduce STI stigma and encourage early care

Cost of Treatment

• STI testing may be low‑cost or free at public clinics
• Antibiotics are often covered by insurance or available at reduced cost
• Some clinics offer sliding‑scale or no‑cost care for teens

Insurance & Confidentiality

• STI testing and treatment are often confidential
• In many places, teens can access sexual health services without parental notification
• You can ask about privacy before any exam or test

Prognosis

• Good with early diagnosis and proper treatment
• Sores usually heal without major problems if treated
• Delays in treatment increase the risk of scarring and complications

Chancroid is serious—but very manageable when addressed early.

What Happens If No Treatment?

• Large, painful sores that may take a long time to heal
• Scarring of the genital area
• Ruptured, draining lymph nodes in the groin
• Increased risk of HIV transmission if exposed

Ignoring chancroid doesn’t make it “tough”—it just gives it more time to cause damage.

Living With or After Chancroid 

• Finish all prescribed antibiotics
• Get retested if your provider recommends it
• Use condoms consistently in the future
• Talk honestly with partners about STI testing
• Remember: an STI diagnosis does not define your worth

Your body is not “ruined” by an infection—it’s responding to something that can be treated.

Myths vs Facts

❌ Myth: “Any genital sore must be herpes.”
✅ Fact: Many conditions cause sores—chancroid is one of them. Only testing can tell.

❌ Myth: “If it hurts, it’s just an ingrown hair or cut.”
✅ Fact: Painful sores can be from STIs and should be checked.

❌ Myth: “STIs like chancroid only happen in certain countries or to certain people.”
✅ Fact: STIs can affect anyone who is sexually active.

❌ Myth: “Talking about genital sores is too embarrassing.”
✅ Fact: Speaking up is how you get answers, relief, and protection.

When to See a Doctor or Clinic Now

Consider getting checked if:

• you notice a new, painful sore on your genitals or nearby
• you have swollen, tender lumps in your groin
• sores are not healing or are getting worse
• a partner tells you they have chancroid or another STI
• you’re sexually active and haven’t been tested in a while

Asking for help is not “too much”—it’s smart, brave, and protective.

Trusted Resources 

• CDC – Chancroidhttps://www.cdc.gov/std/chancroid/default.htm
• MedlinePlus – Sexually Transmitted Diseaseshttps://medlineplus.gov/sexuallytransmitteddiseases.html
• WHO – Sexually Transmitted Infectionshttps://www.who.int/health-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections

TeenThreads Final Word

Chancroid may be rare, but your health is not.

You can:

• learn the signs of even the “uncommon” STIs
• get tested without shame
• protect your body and your future
• treat sexual health like what it is—health

Real power is knowing what’s out there—and knowing you deserve answers, care, and respect.

By TeenThreads Content Team