Page 142 - LECTURE NOTES

6.3.3.2.1 Prevention of disability and rehabilitation

Activities aimed at preventing impairment and disability in leprosy patients are
important and depend on a good relationship between health worker and patient.

Regular health education on eye, hand, and foot care helps to reduce secondary

infection. In order to prevent disability, early detection of cases is a high priority,
however, early detection and treatment with MDT will not prevent all nerve function

impairment. Therefore, patients should be regularly examined and awared, so that

reactions and new nerve function impairment can be detected and treated
appropriately. In addition there should be no restriction from school or work for

people with leprosy to avoid stigmatization.

6.4 Skin fungal infections

Normal skin is impenetrable to microorganisms. However, some microbes have

developed the ability to destroy the upper layer of the skin to enable their colonization.
Among the various skin infections, infections caused by fungi (mycoses) pose a major

challenge.

Warmth, humidity, sweating, over crowding and poor air circulation all help bring

about these fungal infections. But they are contagious too. Athlete’s foot is believed
to be passed on locker room and shower floors, and by sharing foot wear and socks.

You can acquire tinea versicolor from vinyl surfaces of weight lifting benches; and of
course ringworm is contagious through direct contact with infected people (usually

kids) and animals (dogs).

Because of all these factors, prevention is a matter of both personal hygiene and

minimizing contact with potential carriers or contaminated objects.

6.4.1 Prevention and control of fungal infections

¾ Health education and home health care are important to eradicate the disease
causing organism

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