Treatment of leprosy is carried out with antibiotics and must be started as soon as the first symptoms appear in order to heal Treatment takes time and must be carried out in the health center or referral center, usually once a month, according to the instructions of the doctor regarding medication and dosage.
Treatment ends when healing is achieved, which usually occurs when the individual takes at least 12 times the medication prescribed by the doctor, however, in the most serious cases, in which there are complications due to the appearance of deformities, it can be necessary to perform physical therapy or surgery. necessary.
- The remedies that can be used to cure leprosy are the antibiotics Rifampicin.
- Dapsone and Clofazimine.
- Combined with each other.
- These remedies should be taken daily and at least once a month.
- The individual should go to the health center to take another dose.
The following table shows the treatment regimen that can be used in adults and adolescents over 15 years of age:
Rifampicin: 2 doses of 300 mg in a month
Dapsone: 1 monthly dose of 100 mg daily dose
Rifampicin: 2 doses of 300 mg in one month
Clofazimine: 1 monthly dose of 300 mg daily dose of 50 mg
Dapsone: 1 monthly dose of 100 mg daily dose
People with multibacillary leprosy, because they have many skin sores, may have little improvement in just 1 year of treatment, so it may be necessary to continue treatment for at least another 12 months. Individuals with single lesions without nerve damage who cannot take dapsone can take the combination of rifampin, minocycline, and ofloxacin at specific treatment centers.
Side effects of these medications may include redness in the face and neck, itching and small raised red spots on the skin, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowish discoloration of the skin. skin and eyes, bleeding from the nostrils, gums or uterus, anemia, tremors, fever, chills, bone pain, reddish urine color and pink phlegm.
As pregnancy decreases a woman’s immunity, it is sometimes during pregnancy that the first signs of leprosy appear. Treatment of leprosy during pregnancy can be done with the same antibiotics, as they do not harm the baby and can also be used during lactation.
The newborn may have slightly darker skin in the first few days of life, but the sty tends to lighten naturally.
Home treatment of leprosy, or leprosy, is carried out to relieve symptoms, leave the skin more hydrated and avoid complications, this type of treatment must always be accompanied by the treatment indicated by the doctor with the use of antibiotics, since the treatment home is not capable of promoting a cure, only the control of symptoms.
When touching your hand, immerse it in a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, then dry with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer, vaseline or mineral oil to moisturize and look for other lesions or sores every day.
Stretching and strengthening exercises may be indicated to improve hand and arm movements. When there is loss of sensation in the hands, it may be useful to keep them bandaged or use gloves to protect the skin from possible burns, for example when cooking.
A person with leprosy who has no foot tenderness should observe them daily to see if there is a new injury or deficiency. It is also recommended to:
In addition, you should wash your feet daily with soap and water and apply a moisturizer to your skin. Nail cutting and removal of calluses should be done by a podiatrist.
Complications that can occur in the nose are dry skin, runny nose with or without blood, scabs and ulcers, so it is recommended to pour a saline solution into the nostrils to keep them clean and unobstructed.
Complications in the eyes can be dry eyes, lack of strength in the eyelid, which makes it difficult to close the eyes. Therefore, eye drops or artificial tears are recommended. It can also be helpful to wear sunglasses during the day and blindfold for sleep.
Signs that the disease is improving can be seen with the reduction in the size and number of sores on the skin and the recovery of normal sensitivity in all areas of the body.
However, when treatment is not done as directed by your doctor, an increase in wound size and the appearance of other sores in the body, loss of sensation and ability to move your hands may occur. , the feet, arms and legs when affected by inflammation of the nerves, indicating a worsening of the disease.
Complications arise when treatment is not performed and may include loss of walking ability when the legs are affected and difficulty with personal hygiene when the hands or arms are affected. Therefore, the person may not be able to work and take care of themselves.
To cure leprosy it is important to have a comprehensive treatment, and it is the only way to cure the disease, since the drugs that involve treatment kill the bacteria that cause leprosy and prevent the disease from progressing, preventing its aggravation and aggravation. Find out all about leprosy.