Living with Leprosy
A long-known bacterial infection, also called Hansen disease, that mainly affects the skin and nerves.
Understanding Leprosy
It affects the skin and the peripheral nerves. It is not highly transmissible, and about 95 percent of people who are exposed never develop it. Symptoms can take several months to 20 years to appear, and it can start at any age. It occurs on a spectrum from less severe to more severe forms.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Skin sores and lighter patches (lesions)
- Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy)
- Skin nodules (lumps)
- Pins and needles feeling (paresthesia)
- Decreased ability to sweat
- Muscle wasting
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Resolve: The National Infertility Association and The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Resolve: The National Infertility Association, The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Resolve: The National Infertility Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. It is usually caught by breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes or contact with nasal fluids of someone who has it.
Also known as: hansen disease; hansen's disease; infection due to mycobacterium leprae; mycobacterium leprae caused disease or disorder; mycobacterium leprae disease or disorder; mycobacterium leprae infection
Patient organizations
- Resolve: The National Infertility AssociationInfertility · United States
- The Foundation for Peripheral NeuropathyPeripheral neuropathy · United States
- Neuropathy Action FoundationPeripheral neuropathy · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Leprosy.
Explore research for Leprosy
Explore actively recruiting Leprosy studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Leprosy with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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