Anatomy/Physiology of Leprosy
Leprosy is an integumentary disorder that affects the whole body. It causes sores, nerve damage, and weakens the muscles (Roy). Leprosy is known to be neurocutaneous which means it affects the skin (Howard Hugh Medical Institution). Because it is a serious infection that affects the nerve ends and spreads, it affects the tone of the skin causing cell damage. The peripheral nerves which allows movement and senses touch is affected (Howard Hugh Medical Institution). The reason why it affects the whole body is because a germ called Mycobacterium Leprae causes a genetic defect in the bodies’ normal protection mechanism (Roy). According to the Howard Hugh Medical Institution, it claims that, “Leprosy can lead to a distortion in the face nodules creating a lioness appearance; thus, giving the name leprosy.” Leprosy can come from a sick person’s mouth or nose due to the common flu or cold (Roy). The germ (Mycobacterium Leprae) can take up to 6 months to 40 years to develop and show symptoms; it likes to be in cool places in the body like upper airways and the eyes (Roy). The physical effects are traumatizing because it creates skin rashes, swelling, numbing and deformation in the skin (Roy). There two typed of Leprosy one is Mild Tuberculoid Leprosy while the other is Sever Lepromatous Leprosy; the symptoms for both can be similar but one is much more critical.