Living with Pinta disease
A bacterial skin infection that causes long-lasting skin lesions and can change skin color over time.
Understanding Pinta disease
It causes long-lasting skin lesions. Early lesions are bumps and red patches. Later lesions can be lighter, colorless, darker or thinned. GARD says late skin lesions may damage bone and cartilage and cause changes in appearance.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these skin changes:
- Early bumps (papules) and red patches
- Lighter or colorless skin patches
- Darker skin patches
- Thinned skin (atrophic lesions)
- Bone and cartilage damage in late stages
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
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- 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 rare disease patient organizations for support
- 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
GARD says a bacterium called Treponema carateum causes this infection.
Also known as: azul; carate; empeines; endemic treponematosis caused by treponema carateum; infection by treponema carateum; lota
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Pinta disease.
Explore research for Pinta disease
Explore actively recruiting Pinta disease studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Pinta disease 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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