addarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-up82CF3E98-D323-4B3E-9EDD-EF2E73FB5C9E@1xcancelclosedowndownloademailIcons / Social / FacebookfilterhomeIcons / Social / InstagramleftIcons / Social / LinkedIn895A4639-EEE0-4BEB-B7D1-CAB21217861B@1xMenu IconremoverightSearchtagtik-toktimeline-arrow-lefttranslateIcons / Social / TwitterupIcons / Social / YouTube

What does leprosy look like?

Some examples leprosy skin patches

The patches are a different colour from the rest of the skin and they have no feeling if they are touched.

If you notice a patch of skin like this, speak to a health worker as soon as you can.

An example of a leprosy skin patch
An example of a leprosy skin patch
Leprosy skin patches
An example of testing a skin patch
Ruth Towell
A leprosy skin patch on a young girl's face
A skin patch on a young boy's arm
© Ruth Towell
A skin patch on the cheek of a woman's face

Muscle weakness or paralysis

A hand with clawed fingers
Weak/paralysed muscles in the hand can cause the fingers to claw (curl)
An example of foot drop
Weakness/paralysis of the muscles in the leg mean the foot can't be lifted up
man is trying to close his eyes, but the right eye cannot close as the muscle is paralysed as a result of leprosy
Weakness/paralysis of the muscle around the eye means that the eye cannot be closed.

Leprosy is treated with multi-drug therapy (MDT)

A pack of pills which are taken to treat leprosy - MDT
A doctor holds a pack of MDT
©Ricardo Franco
A pack of MDT