Where There Is No Doctor:Leprosy (Hansen's Disease)

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Summary::Leprosy is a mildly infectious disease develops slowly, often over many years. It can only spread from persons who have untreated leprosy, to persons who have low resistance to the disease. In areas where leprosy is common, children should be checked every 6 to 12 months -- especially children living with persons who have leprosy.

Signs

Leprosy can cause a variety of Has symptom::skin problems, loss of feeling, and Has symptom::paralysis of the hands and feet.

Early Signs

The first sign of leprosy is often Has symptom::a slowly growing patch on the skin that does not itch or hurt. At first, feeling inside the patch may be normal. Keep watching it. If feeling in the patch becomes reduced or absent (see Template:See Page) it is probably leprosy.

Later Signs

Later signs differ according to the person's natural resistance to the disease. Watch out for:

• Tingling, numbness or loss of feeling in hands or feet. Or deformities or loss of feeling in skin patches.
• Slight weakness or Has symptom::deformities in the hands and feet.
• Swollen nerves that form Has symptom::thick cords under the skin. Nerves may or may not be painful when you press them.

Advanced Signs

Advanced signs may include:

Treatment of leprosy

Leprosy is usually curable, but medicine must usually be taken for years. The best medicine is Treated with::dapsone, if possible combined with Treated with::rifampin and Treated with::clofazimine (see pages Template:See Page to Template:See Page). If a `lepra reaction' (fever, a rash, pain and perhaps swelling of hands and feet, or eye damage) occurs or gets worse while taking the medicine, keep taking it but get medical help.

Preventing Damage

Prevention of damage to hands, feet, and eyes: The large open sores often seen on the hands and feet of persons with leprosy are not caused by the disease itself and can be prevented. They result because, when feeling has been lost, a person no longer protects himself against injury.

For example, if a person with normal feeling walks a long way and gets a blister, it hurts, so he stops walking or limps.

1. Has treatment::Protect hands and feet from things that can cut, bruise, blister, or burn them: Template:Todo

Do not go barefoot, especially not where there are sharp stones or thorns. Wear shoes or sandals. Put soft padding inside shoes and under straps that may rub.

When working or cooking meals, wear gloves. Never pick up an object that might be hot without first protecting your hand with a thick glove or folded cloth. If possible, avoid work that involves handling sharp or hot objects. Do not smoke.

2. At the end of each day (or more often if you work hard or walk far) examine your hands and feet very carefully--or have someone else examine them. Look for cuts, bruises, or thorns. Also look for spots or areas on the hands and feet that are red, hot, swollen or show the beginnings of blisters. If you find any of these, rest the hands or feet until the skin is completely normal again. This will help callous and strengthen the skin. Sores can be prevented.

3. If you have an open sore, keep the part with the sore very clean and at rest until it has completely healed. Take great care not to injure the area again.

4. Protect your eyes. Much eye damage comes from not blinking enough, because of weakness or loss of feeling. Blink your eyes often to keep them wet and clean. If you cannot blink well, close your eyes tightly often during the day, especially when dust blows. Wear sun glasses with side shades, and maybe a sun hat. Keep eyes clean and flies away.

If you do these things and begin treatment early, most deformities with leprosy can be prevented. For more information about Hansen's disease, see Disabled Village Children, Chapter 26.