What Is Lepromin Skin Test? How Is It Performed?

Did you know that leprosy was declared eradicated in India in 2005, and yet many cases re-emerged in different states? Many medical experts believe that the declaration was a mistake as the fight against the ailment and the social stigma and discrimination it brings along with it for patients took a backseat. Therefore, an occasion like World Leprosy Day, observed globally on January 30, is an opportunity to raise awareness about the cause of the disease and the treatments available.

What is the lepromin skin test?

A lepromin skin test, also known as a leprosy skin test, is done to know the type of leprosy (Hansen's disease) a person has contracted. This will help your physician develop a treatment plan. Mycobacterium leprae is the bacterium which causes leprosy, a chronic infectious ailment.It is transmitted through droplets from an infected person's nose, eyes, and mouth. Leprosy can be easily treated and even cured if detected in the early stages. Left untreated, it can cause nerve damage leading to paralysis, vision loss, and crippling of hands and feet.

Symptoms of Hansen’s disease

Symptoms take at least one year to appear but can also take as long as 20 years or more and affect the skin, peripheral nerves and mucous membranes. There are several possible symptom manifestations, including:

• Discoloured skin patches or lesions, usually flat and raised,with little or no sensation

• Dry, stiff or thick skin

• Nerve damage causing numbness or lack of sensation in the extremities

• Weakness in muscles or paralysis, mainly of hands and feet

• Painless swelling on face and earlobes

• Painless ulcers on the soles of feet

• Loss of eyelashes or eyebrows

Why is the test ordered?

If you show any symptoms of leprosy, your doctor will recommend a Lepromin skin test to determine the type of leprosy you have been infected with. One should bear in mind that this test is not recommended to diagnose leprosy. For diagnosis of leprosy, a skin biopsy is done, which involves taking a small sample of your skin for laboratory testing.

Types of Hansen’s disease

There are mainly 3 types of Hansen’s disease:

1. Tuberculoid:

This is a mild and less contagious form of leprosy, and the infected person will have only a few skin lesions or sores. Also known as paucibacillary leprosy, the affected area may not have any sensation.

2. Lepromatous:

Also called multibacillary leprosy, the affected person has widespread skin rashes and bumps affecting the skin, nerves, and organs.It can cause numbness and muscle weakness. Lepromatous leprosy is more severe and contagious than tuberculoid.

3. Borderline:

People with borderline leprosy show symptoms of both tuberculoid and lepromatous forms. It is also called dimorphous leprosy.

How is the test performed?

A sample of inactivated bacterium is injected under the skin, usually into the forearm. The inactivated bacterium is taken because it is unable to cause infection. A small lump will be formed at the injection site, indicating that the bacteria has been injected at the correct depth. After three days, the injection site is examined to see if there’s any reaction. If there is no reaction, an examination is conducted again after 28 days.

Preparing for the test

There’s no preparation required for the test. You only have to ensure the injection site doesn’t have any skin disorder or irritation like dermatitis; otherwise, the test can show a false-positive result. The test should be performed on an unaffected area of the body.

What are the risks of the test?

Usually, there are no risks. There may be slight burning or a stinging sensation while the bacterium is injected. After that, the injection site may get a little itchy. In rare cases, a person may develop an allergic reaction, such as shortness of breath, itching, and hives. If one notices these symptoms after the injection, he/she should seek medical help at the earliest.

Understanding the test results

If the injection site shows redness, swelling or any other skin changes, it indicates tuberculoid and borderline tuberculoid Hansen’s disease. If a person has leprosy, but there’s no skin reaction, it is probably a case of lepromatous Hansen’s disease. Depending on the type of Hansen’s disease, a doctor prescribes medication to treat the illness.

Conclusion

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an age-old disease, and for decades, those with leprosy faced discrimination and social stigma. However, today, with early diagnosis and effective treatment, people with Hansen’s disease can lead a normal and active life. To stay financially protected, a person with leprosy should check if his/her health insurance plan covers leprosy or if the person needs to opt for critical illness insurance. Since such patients require frequent medical attention, it is better to have an individual health insurance policy rather than being covered under a family floater plan.

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