Leprosy Training Module for Medical Officers

5. Tenderness on gentle tapping : In reactional states.
6. Presence of infiltration :
This term refers to skin which is :
thickened ,
shiny and
erythematous.
All three features must be present in the same area. This may be seen in severe
forms of Leprosy.
Test for Anaesthesia
The simplest and quickest way to test for anaesthesia is to use
the tip of your finger to touch the patient. Using your ring or little
finger pulp, touch the patient very gently. If you can feel it, he should
be able to do so also.
Remember :
• Generally, testing for anaesthesia is done with the help of a feather, a
fine wisp of cotton , or the tip of ball - pen.
• Touch only, do not brush across the skin.
• Touch only once in each site tested.
• The testing for anaesthesia is required in two situations :
Presence of patch on skin – Test the anaesthesia over the patch for
fine touch.
Nerve Damage – In case of nerve damage, test for anaesthesia over
the skin supplied by the affected nerve. Test for fine touch, pain and
hot & cold ( by one tube containing hot water and other containing
old water ) sensations. Never do cold testing alone by spirit or spirit
swab. All three modalities of sensation should be tested ad
sometimes only one is affected (dissociated anaesthesia).
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