Best Doctors for Leprosy Treatment in Kolkata

The best doctors for leprosy treatment in Kolkata advise that leprosy primarily affects the skin and the peripheral nerves, but untreated leprosy can affect many organs and organ systems. Some of these include:

• Skin: This starts with skin symptoms, including discoloured patches, nodules, and loss of sensation in affected areas.
• Peripheral Nerves: Damages peripheral nerves, leading to loss of sensation, weakness, and muscle wasting in the affected areas.
• Nasal Mucosa: This leads to nosebleeds, congestion, and, in severe cases, nasal collapse (saddle nose deformity).
• Lymphatic System: This leads to lymph node enlargement and swelling in affected areas.
• Testes and Ovaries: Testes in males and the ovaries in females, potentially leading to infertility.

According to leprosy specialists in Kolkata, leprosy can be cured permanently with appropriate treatment. The primary treatment is a combination of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) antibiotics. The drugs given depend on the type of leprosy and its severity as follows:

• Paucibacillary (PB) Leprosy: Less severe form characterized by a small number of skin lesions with few bacteria. The standard treatment is a combination of two antibiotics: dapsone and rifampicin. This treatment is typically administered for a duration of 6 to 9 months.
• Multibacillary (MB) Leprosy: It is the more severe form and involves a more significant number of skin lesions with a higher bacterial load. The treatment includes three antibiotics: dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine. This treatment is usually administered for 12 months or longer. 

It's essential to complete the entire course of treatment as prescribed by a leprosy specialist to ensure that all the bacteria causing leprosy are eliminated from the body.

The specialists advise that  Leprosy has not been eradicated, but its prevalence has been reduced, and the disease is better controlled today. However, efforts to combat leprosy include:

• Early diagnosis and treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).
• Active case-finding and contact tracing to identify and treat cases promptly.
• Education and awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with leprosy.
• Research to improve diagnostics, treatment, and understanding of the disease.

Although significant progress has been made in controlling leprosy, it is still important.