Diagnosis of leprosy.

Of all the diagnoses of dermatological disorders, the leprosy is perhaps the easiest one to be done on one side but difficult also on the other side. Proper history taking in the diagnosis is very important. Clinical examination is intended to find out if the patient has any skin or nerve lesion. The most important is the definite sensory deficit in the skin lesions which if present confirms the diagnosis of leprosy. Nerve examination necessitates to see the involvement of peripheral nerves eg, ulnar, lateral popliteal, posterior tibial, median or facial. In the routine diagnosis of cases, slit-skin smear from skin lesions and ear lobes is generally not required. The presence of any cardinal sign, related to skin patch or nerve, confirms the diagnosis.