Leprosy (Hansen's Disease): What You Need to Know Right Now

Can you catch leprosy from a handshake? Almost never. Still, knowing the facts helps you act fast if symptoms appear. Leprosy—also called Hansen's disease—is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects skin and nerves and is curable when treated early. The goal is simple: spot it early, start treatment, and avoid nerve damage.

How to spot leprosy early

Look for pale or reddish skin patches with reduced feeling. If a patch doesn’t feel heat, touch, or pain the same as other skin, that’s a red flag. Other signs: numbness in hands or feet, muscle weakness (especially in the face or hands), and patches of hair loss. Some people notice enlarged nerves as lumps along the arms, legs, or neck. Symptoms can show up slowly—months to years after infection—so don’t ignore small changes.

If you have skin patches plus numbness, see a healthcare provider who knows about leprosy. Doctors usually diagnose it by clinical exam and may take a skin smear or biopsy to confirm. Early diagnosis prevents permanent damage. If you’ve lived with someone diagnosed with leprosy, tell your provider—contacts often get screened and may be offered preventive treatment.

Treatment, care and living with leprosy

Treatment is straightforward and provided free in many countries following WHO guidelines. Standard multidrug therapy (MDT) uses rifampicin combined with dapsone and sometimes clofazimine. For limited disease, treatment lasts about six months; for more widespread disease, about 12 months. Take every dose—stopping early risks relapse and nerve damage.

Along with antibiotics, nerve care matters. Protect numb hands and feet from burns and cuts—check them daily. Work with your clinic on wound care, physiotherapy, and simple exercises to keep muscles strong. If nerves are inflamed, short courses of steroids can help; a doctor will decide.

There’s also a public health step: close contacts may be offered a single dose of rifampicin as preventive therapy. This reduces the chance they’ll develop leprosy later. Vaccination with BCG offers partial protection in some places, but it’s not a replacement for MDT or contact management.

Stigma still exists, but remember: leprosy is curable and people on treatment aren’t infectious after the first doses. If you or a family member is diagnosed, ask about support groups and legal protections—many areas have services to help with social and work issues. Tell your doctor about mental health struggles too; counseling can make a big difference.

Bottom line: don’t ignore persistent numb patches or unexplained muscle weakness. Early testing and WHO-recommended treatment stop the disease and protect your nerves. If you’re worried, contact a clinic that treats skin and nerve conditions—early action keeps life normal and active.