How is Leprosy Detected and Diagnosed Early

Posted on: May 8, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

How is Leprosy Detected and Diagnosed Early

Dealing with a condition like leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, can be challenging. This is a long-term infection which is caused by bacteria that affect your skin, nerves, eyes and nose. The condition can cause numbness, discoloured patches on your skin, weakness in your hands or feet and even a loss of feeling in those areas. Some people may also experience symptoms like a stuffy nose, nosebleeds or vision problems. While leprosy is a serious disease, it is treatable if diagnosed in time. Let's take a look at how is leprosy detected.

How is Leprosy Detected?

Leprosy is diagnosed based on its types, which are determined by the number and appearance of skin sores. The main types are:

• Tuberculoid (Paucibacillary Leprosy) :

This is a mild form of leprosy with one or a few pale, flat skin patches. It causes numbness due to nerve damage and is less contagious.

• Lepromatous (Multibacillary Leprosy) :

Lepromatous is a more severe form with widespread skin bumps, rashes, numbness and muscle weakness. It can also affect other organs and is more contagious.

• Borderline:

This is a combination of symptoms from both tuberculoid and lepromatous forms.

Here’s how leprosy is diagnosed:

• Skin Biopsy:

If you have a skin sore, your doctor may take a small sample and send it to a lab to check for signs of leprosy.

• Skin Smear Test:

This test looks for bacteria in the skin. If you have paucibacillary leprosy, there won’t be any bacteria in the sample. However, if you have multibacillary leprosy, bacteria will show up.

• Lepromin Skin Test:

This test is done to determine the type of leprosy. In the lepromin skin test, a small dose of inactive leprosy bacteria is injected under the skin of your forearm. The doctors will check the spot after three days and again after 28 days to see how your skin reacts.

◦ If you have a reaction, you might have tuberculoid or borderline tuberculoid leprosy.

◦ If there is no reaction, you either don’t have leprosy, or you might have lepromatous leprosy.

Conclusion

The doctor will likely perform tests like a skin biopsy or skin smear test to check for the bacteria that cause leprosy. These tests also help identify the type of leprosy, ensuring you receive the right treatment and care. While being diagnosed with leprosy might sound overwhelming, it is treatable with a combination of medications. If caught early and treated properly, you can fully recover and avoid long-term problems.

Many insurance providers cover leprosy under critical illness mediclaim policy, so investing in one can help you manage your medical expenses. However, it is important to check your policy for coverage details to ensure timely and effective treatment.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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