While not as widespread today as in previous times, leprosy is a severe disease with a long and complex history. This infectious disease is caused by the slow-growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which can affect the skin, eyes, nerves, and nasal mucosa (nose lining). This disease is frequently misunderstood and stigmatised. Thus, there is a need to understand leprosy's meaning clearly to debunk the many myths associated with it. This article will explore everything you need to know about leprosy, from its symptoms to treatment.
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium. This disease primarily affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. Contrary to common belief, it is not highly contagious. It mainly spreads through respiratory droplets. The bacteria target the nervous system, leading to skin lesions and nerve damage. The incubation period can be lengthy, making early detection crucial for effective treatment.
Symptoms of Leprosy
Leprosy disease affects the skin and nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can also impact the eyes and the inner lining of the nose. The main leprosy symptoms include skin sores, lumps, or bumps that don't heal for a long time. These sores are flat and lighter in color compared to the surrounding skin.
Other symptoms include:
- Stiff, thick, or dry skin
- Skin growths
- Lumps or swelling on the face or ears
Additionally, nerve damage can cause:
- Loss of feeling in affected areas
- Weakness in muscles
- Eyesight problems
- Stuffy nose or nosebleeds (if the mucous membranes in the nose are affected)
When the condition advances, symptoms may include:
- Loss of eyebrows and/or eyelashes
- Sores on the soles of your feet
- Pain, redness, and burning
- Deformities of the nose, hands, and feet
- Blindness
- Shorter toes and fingers
Causes of Leprosy
The slow-growing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae causes leprosy. The proper transmission mode is not fully understood, but studies show it occurs through respiratory droplets when an infected person with untreated leprosy coughs or sneezes.
Several factors contribute to the development of leprosy, including:
- Prolonged Close Contact: Leprosy is not highly contagious, but prolonged and close contact with an untreated person carrying the bacteria increases the risk of transmission.
- Weakened Immune System: People with poor immune systems are more susceptible to getting leprosy
- Genetic Susceptibility: Some individuals could have a genetic predisposition that makes them more vulnerable to leprosy.
Forms of Leprosy
Specific symptoms and treatment of leprosy depend on the form of leprosy a person has. The types of leprosy include:
- Tuberculoid: This is a mild form and less contagious than other forms. People with this type have only one or a few patches of flat, pale-coloured skin. Nerve damage underneath this skin may make the skin feel numb.
- Lepromatous: This is a more severe and contagious form of leprosy. It causes widespread skin bumps and rashes, numbness, and muscle weakness. It may also cause damage to the nose, kidneys, and reproductive organs in men.
- Borderline: People with this form have symptoms of both the tuberculoid and lepromatous forms.
Doctors may also assess leprosy based on the number of lesions (sores) present, which is a more straightforward method:
- Single lesion paucibacillary (SLPB): One lesion (sore)
- Paucibacillary (PB): Two to five lesions
- Multibacillary (MB): Six or more lesions
Diagnosis of Leprosy
Diagnosing leprosy involves a combination of clinical evaluation, skin examinations, and laboratory tests. Critical steps in diagnosing leprosy include:
Doctors examine skin lesions and assess sensory and motor nerve function. The symptoms can be any one or more of these: skin patches with altered sensation, numbness, muscle weakness, and so on. A professional healthcare expert can detect it better.
A skin biopsy helps confirm the presence of Mycobacterium leprae. A small skin sample is taken from an affected area and examined under a microscope for the characteristic bacteria.
To assess the damage caused by leprosy, some doctors undertake a nerve biopsy. The decision of whether to do it or not depends on professional experts.
Detecting any disease earlier is crucial because prevention is better than cure, and leprosy is no exception. Health workers, particularly in areas where leprosy is more prevalent, are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an approach based on clinical criteria for areas with limited resources, facilitating early detection and treatment.
Treatment of Leprosy
WHO recommends the standard Multidrug Therapy (MDT) approach for treating leprosy. Leprosy treatment aims to eliminate the bacteria causing leprosy, prevent further complications, and reduce the risk of transmission. Critical aspects of leprosy treatment include:
A treatment administered quite often in leprosy cases is drug therapy. A combination of antibiotics is prescribed. The most commonly used medications are dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine. This treatment depends on the type and severity of leprosy.
MDT is usually administered under supervision to ensure compliance and proper use of medications. This approach helps prevent the development of drug resistance.
Regular monitoring of patients during and after treatment is essential. Follow-up examinations assess the response to treatment, monitor for potential side effects, and address potential complications.
- Dealing with Complications
Leprosy can lead to severe complications like deformities, ulcers, and nerve damage. Additional medical measures like surgeries or rehabilitation may be necessary for such issues.
Complications Associated With Leprosy
Without the right treatment, leprosy can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, arms, legs, feet, and eyes. Leprosy's complications can include:
- Loss of sight
- Iritis
- Thinning and losing hair
- Infertility
- Permanent swelling, bumps, and lumps on the face, which lead to disfiguration
- Erectile dysfunction and/or infertility in men
- Kidney damage leading to organ failure
- Muscle weakness that does not allow the patient to flex their feet or causes your hands to take on a claw-like form
- Permanent damage to the inside of the nose, causing nosebleeds and a stuffy nose
- Permanent nerve damage outside of the brain and spinal cord, like those in the arms, legs, and feet
Conclusion
Although leprosy was once widespread and surrounded by false beliefs, it is now effectively treated. Educating ourselves about its bacterial origin, the value of early detection, and the success of multidrug therapy has played a vital role in eliminating the misconceptions and the stigma associated with this disease. As we work towards eradicating leprosy, it's crucial to highlight the importance of health insurance. Having health insurance can play a crucial role in achieving a world free of leprosy by having access to timely and thorough medical treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.