Leprosy is a chronic bacterial infection. Leprosy is also known as Hansen disease. It is generally characterized by disfiguring skin lesions, peripheral nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. Leprosy is caused by the organism Mycobacterium leprae. This bacterium grows very slowly and mainly affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. When a person becomes infected with Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria begin to multiply within the body and symptoms often begin after three to five years.

There are several forms of leprosy that range from the mildest form to the most severe type. The two main types of leprosy are:

• Lepromatous leprosy (LL)
• Tuberculoid leprosy (TT)

Other forms are:

• Indeterminate leprosy (IL)
• Borderline tuberculoid leprosy (BT)
• Borderline borderline leprosy (BB)
• Borderline lepromatous leprosy (BL)

The difference between Lepromatous leprosy and other types of leprosy is that, Lepromatous leprosy is the only form that never reverts to a less severe form. In Lepromatous leprosy, Patches of skin become thickened and lumpy. Eyelashes and eyebrows may be lost and thickening over the forehead and flattening of the bridge of the nose may contribute to a characteristic “leonine” appearance. Both earlobes may become thick and bulbous and scaling may form over the lower extremities.

Tuberculoid leprosy, known as paucibacillary leprosy, is the less severe form of leprosy. Patient shows symptoms of light or slightly red patches of skin that appear on the trunk This may be related with a decrease in light-touch sensation in the area of the rash. Leprosy patients should avoid injury and infections to fingers or toes to prevent damage in these areas and take their medicines regularly to recover fast.