Whats The Difference Between Leprosy and Psoriasis?

Leprosy and psoriasis both cause uncomfortable skin lesions and other similar symptoms. Despite their parallels, the conditions have different causes and treatments.

Leprosy vs. psoriasis

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is best known as a skin infection of biblical proportions, thanks to multiple mentions of it in the Bible. It was devastating in ancient times, but it’s now rare and easily treated and cured in the United States.

Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-growing bacterium that cannot live outside its host. It’s difficult to study because it can only be grown in animals and the symptoms take years to develop.

Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder. It causes skin cells to grow rapidly, leading to skin lesions and plaques. Psoriasis isn’t contagious. A combination of genetics and environmental triggers is thought to cause psoriasis.

Symptoms

Leprosy affects the skin, nerves, and muscles. The two forms of leprosy are lepromatous leprosy and tuberculoid leprosy. Lepromatous leprosy is the worse type. It causes both sores and large lumps on the skin.

Psoriasis also causes sores on the skin, but these usually look more like dry patches of skin. Sometimes psoriasis may cause your skin to crack and bleed. Symptoms range in severity.

Below is a comparison of the common symptoms of leprosy and psoriasis.

Risk factors

Leprosy is not highly contagious, but it may be spread person-to-person through nose and mouth droplets or possibly broken skin. According to the World Health Organization, global leprosy was eliminated in 2000. This means there’s less than one case per ten thousand people globally today.

Despite these gains, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates leprosy is still widespread in certain countries such as:

  • Angola
  • Brazil
  • India
  • Madagascar
  • Nepal
  • Central African Republic

Your risk of getting leprosy increases if you live in one of the previously listed countries or if you come into prolonged close contact with someone who has the infection. The risk is still low, however, since research indicates that 95 percent of humans are naturally immune.

Unlike leprosy, psoriasis isn’t contagious. The following factors put you at a higher risk of developing psoriasis:

  • a family history of psoriasis
  • HIV or a suppressed immune system
  • obesity
  • smoking
  • a significant amount of sustained stress

Treatments

Leprosy is treated with antibiotics over a period of six months to two years. Most people undergoing leprosy treatment continue their daily activities.

Psoriasis treatments focus on reducing symptoms, such as moisturizing skin, removing scales, calming redness, and controlling skin inflammation. Treatment options include:

  • over-the-counter topical medications
  • topical corticosteroids
  • anthralin
  • pine- or coal-tar products
  • light therapy, such as sunlight, ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), or excimer laser
  • immunomodulator drugs, such as Enbrel, Remicade, Humira, or Stelara

Leprosy and psoriasis differences

Leprosy and psoriasis both cause skin lesions, but they’re very different diseases. Psoriasis is caused by a malfunction in your body’s immune system and isn’t contagious. Leprosy is caused by bacteria and is contagious.

To help you distinguish between leprosy and psoriasis, consider these differences:

When to call the doctor

Any undiagnosed skin lesion that doesn’t heal on its own warrants a call to your doctor. Obtaining a correct diagnosis is always critical to getting the right treatment. In most cases, the earlier you understand your diagnosis and begin treatment, the better the outcome.

If you’ve been diagnosed with leprosy or psoriasis and your symptoms worsen or are not improving with treatment, or if you experience signs of infection, contact your doctor right away. The signs of infection may include:

  • fever
  • severe pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting

If you have leprosy and experience numbness or a loss of sensation in the affected body region, contact your doctor to discuss ways to prevent injury.

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