secondary stage
Last reviewed 01/2018
The secondary stage of yaws is characterised by multiple skin lesions, particularly around mucocutaneous junctions, which vary from 5 to 20 mm in diameter. They may crust. They itch but are seldom painful, except on the soles of the feet. They heal after a few months spontaneously, and there may be successive crops separated by months or years.
Bone lesions occur in the long bones of the forearm and legs, where there is osteitis and periosteitis. The deposition of new bone around the nose causes a facial deformity known as goundou.