Hansen Disease (Leprosy)

When spots or areas of skin with loss of sensitivity appear, it is worth knowing about Hansen's disease, the name also used for leprosy, a chronic infection caused by a bacterium that affects the skin and the nerves.

How does it present? It usually gives rise to light or dark spots on the skin, decreased touch in those areas and, at times, weakness or numbness from nerve involvement.

When to seek care? Skin lesions with loss of sensitivity that do not disappear warrant a timely review.

Who treats it? The infectious disease specialist and the internist are the professionals who study this disease and guide its follow-up. Faced with signs of this type, the most recommended thing is to have it evaluated with one of them.