How do I deal with injuries if I have been infected with leprosy (Bengali)

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If you have any wounds, cuts or injuries, it is very important to do regular and effective wound management, because otherwise germs can easily enter your body through the wound, cause infections and may lead to long-term impairments, too. Also, if the wounds heal, with a good wound management, you can prevent greater scars that can cause difficulties in moving, too.

Your wound will heal fastest if you create the best conditions for new skin to grow. This means keeping your wound clean, and warm. For optimal wound care, please do the following:

• Wash your hands. The most important thing you and your caregivers can do to prevent infection is to wash your hands with drinking quality water and soap. Wash before and after touching your wound.
• Keep the wound very clean and at rest until it has healed completely. At the end of each day (or more often if you work hard or walk far) check the wound if it is clean and that it can heal.
• If the wound does not heal, if it becomes worse or if you have any questions about the wound management, please ask a health worker for advice.
• You can use Vaseline to speed up healing. Never use butter or animal fat! These attract insects and rats.
• Cover your wound with a simple cloth to keep away any germs and protect the wound from injuries.
• Be careful. Protect the wound. Do not let anything touch it or bump it.
• If your wound is on your foot or ankle, keep it free from contact with water.
• Also, warming can speed up healing. For example, you can take a bottle of warm – not hot! – water and gently put it on the wound and so, warm the skin.

When the wound heals, it can lead to a scar. But the scar is active for some more months. It may thicken, stick or shorten. When the skin gets thick, apply a compression bandage to support the healing process of the scar. When the skin gets shorten, gently stretch it. If the skin dries out, use vaseline or hydrating cream to treat the scar. Do not use butter or animal fat! These attract insects and rats.

Greater scars can cause deformities or difficulties in moving the affected part of your body.

Therefore, you have to make intensive physiotherapy like special training to regain the mobility. A physiotherapist or a health worker with special training can teach you how to do simple exercises like elevation of the affected limbs. Start doing these exercises early and frequently. Like this you can prevent stiffness, restricted mobility and disability. If you have an ulcer, move the affected body part gently.

Also, check the other parts of your hands and feet carefully or have someone else check them. Look for cuts, wounds, or thorns. Look for spots or areas on the hands and feet that are red, hot, swollen, or show the start of a wound. If you find any of these, rest the hands or feet until the skin is completely normal again.

Sources

• German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association - www.dahw.de