Leprosy history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Despite the considerable decrease in the incidence of leprosy in recent years, after the preventive and treatment measures applied by the WHO, there are still endemic areas of the disease, particularly in developing countries. Accordingly, the diagnostic procedures and the time to reach a correct diagnosis, will depend on the area of the world it occurs. The diagnosis of leprosy should be considered when there is history of skin lesions that do not respond to treatment for more common conditions or when in presence of sensory loss with concomitant trauma lesions or burns.
History
Obtaining an adequate history is an essential component of the diagnosis of leprosy. Attending to the fact that it is not a common condition in developed countries, a correct diagnosis may be harder to reach, in which case a detailed history, that includes comprehensive description of symptoms, along with their time of onset and progression, as well as a list of recent travels, contacts and illnesses in any family member or coworker, is of extreme importance. An accurate history is also important since the clinical presentation is a major element of the diagnosis of leprosy, thereby facilitating the start of treatment, contributing to a better prognosis. History of trauma should also be asked, since it might explain some of the skin lesions in the patient.
Common Symptoms
Common symptoms of leprosy may include:[1]
- Skin lesions that are lighter than normal skin color.
- Growths in the skin.
- Thicker or dry skin.
- Numbness or lack of sensation, predominantly on the hands, arms, feet and legs.
- Muscle weakness.
- Eye problems, such as dry eyes and corneal abrasion.
- Enlargement of nerves, particularly in the elbow and knee areas.
- Stuffy nose.
- Nose bleed.
- Lesions of the soles of feet.
Less Common Symptoms
Less common symptoms commonly appear in more severe cases of the disease, and may include:[1]