Definition:
Erythema, or Erythema Nodosum Leprosum (ENL), is the medical name of the dreaded skin disease, leprosy. It is characterized by a rapid development of sores in the different parts of the skin. When not treated, it can lead to blindness, tuberculosis, and irreversible disfigurement of one's physical appearance.
Diagnosis:
Erythema can be diagnosed via physical and dermatological examinations, as well as a skin biopsy to detect the presence of the bacteria on the skin.
Treatment:
The disease can now be effectively treated by antibiotics, particularly by rifampin, dapsone and clofazimine. However, multiple drug therapy can lead to side-effects, thus anti-inflammatory drugs are as well administered once inflammation due to treatment occurs. The disfigurement of the affected parts of the body can no longer be cured.
Symptoms and Signs:
When one has contracted erythema, the main symptom would be that of lesions developing in the arms and legs. These lesions grow and multiply until they disfigure the tissues inside the body. Extreme itchiness may be experienced, as well as fever and chills.
Causes:
Erythema is a tropical disease, thus the proliferation of this once dreaded epidemic can be found in tropical countries. The disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprosae, which thrives in warm and tropical weather. Once the bacterium finds a human host, it easily breaks into the skin destroying the skin's immune system and develops lesions.
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