Can Leprosy Come Back After Treatment

Leprosy is a bacterial infection that affects nerves, eyes, skin, and nasal mucosa. Important symptoms related to the disease include discolored and numb skin patches which are seen as a faded area, the presence of nodules on the skin, the disappearance of eyebrows or eyelashes, dry and thick skin, and ulcers on the feet.

There was a time when it was considered a highly contagious disease and people suffering from it were treated as untouchables. But now the stigma and discrimination have been ended. People are aware now that it is completely curable if treated on time under the supervision of a well-specialized physician. Any individual suffering from the disease can lead a normal life, continuing his/her work actively.

On-time treatment is important in the case of Leprosy. Any delay in the same can cause permanent nerve damage, leading to paralysis as well as crippling of hands and toes. The treatment mainly involves MDT or multidrug therapy.

Multidrug therapy includes the application of three antibiotics i.e Dapsone, rifampicin, and Clofazimine. A combination of Dapsone and Rifampicin is preferred either alone or along with Clofazimine. The strategy followed is such that the development of antibiotic resistance in the bacteria is prevented. 

A complete treatment is necessary for the cure of the illness, the duration of which ranges from being one to two years or even more. It consists of a course of antibiotics prescribed under the supervision of a doctor. An affected person should take antibiotics as prescribed by the specialist. Any deviation from this may provoke chances of recurrence.

Some of the important things which are responsible for the reappearance of Leprosy even after the treatment include :

Discontinuing the antibiotics in between - There's a chance that bacteria causing the disease may grow back, causing recurrence of the disease. This can happen when the affected person stops taking the antibiotics before completing its course.

Continuous exposure to the causing bacteria - Even after the cure of leprosy, if the recovered person gets continuously exposed to the bacteria, there is a chance for the disease to redevelop and make the person sick again.