Leprosy Training Module for Medical Officers

( B ) Skin Examination :
Remember the cardinal sign :
Hypo pigmented or reddish colour skin patch(es)
with definite loss of sensation .
Principles of Skin Examination :
1. Choose a spot where good light is available.
2. As far as possible, choose a spot where there is privacy.
3. Always examine the whole skin from head to toe.
4. Compare both sides of the body.
Examine the skin for presence of patch, and if present, following features must
be noted :
1. Site : Useful for follow – up.
2. Number : The number of lesions indicates the severity of the disease. Also
useful for classification and follow – up.
3. Colour : Maybe hypo – pigmented ( lighter in colour than the rest of the skin ) or
erythematous ( red ). Lesions of Leprosy are never de – pigmented.
4. Sensory Loss : This is useful both for diagnosis and classification of Leprosy.
Loss of sensation over a patch is a cardinal
sign of Leprosy ( mostly PB Leprosy ) .
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