Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium 'Mycobacterium leprae'. The disease can affect the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and nerves, causing damage. While it can affect people of all ages, it is most common in people between the ages of 5 and 15 and in people over 30. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent problems that may occur. Treatment can be done with a combination of antibiotics depending on the condition of the disease.
Also known as Hansen's disease, it can lead to skin ulcers, nervous system damage and muscle weakness, severe disfigurement and disability. It is one of the oldest diseases in history and continues to occur today. It is most common in India and Brazil.
What Causes Leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by a slow-growing type of bacteria called 'Mycobacterium leprae'. Although it is not clear exactly how it is transmitted, it is thought to spread by contact with the secretions of an infected patient. These secretions often appear as micro-droplets in the air when an infected patient sneezes or coughs.
In addition, it is not very contagious. However, prolonged and continuous contact with a person who has not been treated and whose disease persists causes the disease to spread.
What are the Types of Leprosy?
The types of leprosy disease are classified under 3 main headings. These are; Tuberculoid, Lepromatous and Borderline leprosy.
Tuberculoid Leprosy: It usually shows mild symptoms and develops only a few sores. This is due to a good immune response.
Lepromatous Leprosy: This type has widespread sores and lesions affecting nerves, skin and organs. The immune response is poor and the disease is more contagious.
Borderline Leprosy: It includes symptoms of both tuberculoid and lepromatous.
What are the Symptoms of Leprosy?
Leprosy symptoms are most commonly observed on skin tissues, nerve cells and mucous membranes. There are three main symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms observed on the skin;
- Skin spots with loss of color
- Growths on the skin (nodules)
- Thickening and hardening of the skin
- Ulcer formation on the soles of the feet
- Swelling in the face or earlobe
Symptoms observed as a result of nerve damage;
- Numbness in the affected parts of the skin
- Muscle weakening or paralysis
- Expansion of nerve cells
- Eye diseases that can lead to serious consequences
Symptoms observed on the mucous membrane;
- Nasal congestion
- Observation of nasal bleeding
Because the disease causes damage to the nerves, it can lead to loss of sensation or loss of feeling. In case of sensory loss, burn-like injuries may not be recognized.
Symptoms of the disease, which can develop if left untreated, include
- Disability or paralysis of the hands and feet
- Loss of vision
- Chronic nodules on the soles of the feet that do not heal
- Disorders in the nasal area
- Loss of eyebrows
In addition to these, symptoms and signs that can rarely be seen include; tenderness and pain in the nerves, pain and redness on the affected area, burning sensation on the skin.
Diagnosis of Leprosy
Leprosy is diagnosed by specialist doctors after a series of examinations. The physician performs a physical examination to investigate and examine the symptoms and signs of the disease. If necessary, a number of tests and triggers are also used. A small sample is taken from the skin or nerve and sent to the laboratory for a biopsy.
A lepromin skin test can also be performed to determine the condition of the disease. In this test, the bacteria that cause the disease are inactivated and a small amount of skin is injected into the upper forearm in general.
Leprosy Disease Treatment
The disease does not heal on its own and, left untreated, can progress and become difficult to treat. It may not be possible to reverse serious complications that may develop in the future. However, leprosy is a treatable disease for which early diagnosis is important. There are multiple drug treatments developed for this disease. The medicines are prescribed by specialist doctors and their use is communicated to the individual. If diagnosed early and treatment is started early, the cure rate is high.
A number of antibiotics recommended by specialists can treat the disease by eliminating the disease and the bacteria that cause it. Many cases can be treated with a combination of antibiotics. The treatment process can last for months, but some cases may require continuous treatment for 1 to 2 years.