ECZEMA vs LEPROSY

Wa do,

Happy New Month! I want to start on that ecstatic note. It has been a wonderful year thus far. There have been many challenges but with faith, we are more than overcomers. I just said, Good day, in Urhobo language of Delta State, Nigeria. If my spelling is not right, any of my Edo friends should endeavor to correct me.

There are many illnesses that have similar symptoms, unfortunately, I am not a medic, these illnesses have drugs used in curing them. However, there are times when wrong diagnosis lead to wrong prescriptions which ultimately lead to death. Like it is said, “doctors bury their mistakes.” Let’s consider something from a Yoruba proverb for this week. “E fi ete sile; e n pa lapalapa” which literarily means leprosy has been ignored while eczema is being treated. These illnesses have whitish looks but they differ.

I had to consult, Wed MD to get this definition of eczema:

“Is a skin condition caused by inflammation of the skin. Typically, eczema causes skin to become itchy, red, and dry -- even cracked and leathery. Eczema can appear on any part of the body. Eczema is a chronic problem for many people. It is most common in infants, many of whom outgrow it before adulthood. People with eczema have a higher risk of developing allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever. Eczema symptoms include itchy, red, and dry skin caused by inflammation. It’s most commonly found in children, although adults can get it. It is also called atopic dermatitis and is treated with oral medications, steroid creams and light therapy.”

Same Wed MD said this about Leprosy:

“Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease of humans caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. For many years, it was considered a mysterious disorder associated with some type of curse, and persons with the disease were isolated and ostracized. Today, there is effective treatment and the disease can be cured. There is no longer any justification for isolating persons with leprosy. The disease can affect the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes and some of the nerves that are located outside the central nervous system (peripheral nerves). These are primarily the nerves of the hands, feet, and eyes, and some of the nerves in the skin. In severe, untreated cases, loss of sensation, muscle paralysis of hands and feet, disfigurement, and blindness may occur. Tuberculoid leprosy is characterized by a few flat or slightly raised skin lesions of various sizes that are typically pale or slightly red, dry, hairless, and numb to touch (anesthetic)”

More readings can be done online but let’s take this out of our discussion today. Firstly, there is no need to attempt self-medication in this age and time when knowledge abounds everywhere. Secondly, there are many situations that have defiled solutions basically because the problem has not been appropriately discovered. Solutions do not come to wrong diagnosis. Lastly, apply the right medication to the rightly diagnosed illnesses.

It is a matter of choice; if a patient has been diagnosed rightly and he feels it is cheaper to apply another form of medication order than the right medication; the person should be blamed at the end of it all.

On the holistic level, deal with the root cause of any issue that is not helpful to your relationship, career and your development

In this new month, let’s address issues rightly so that we can move on to other rewarding tasks.

Enjoy your week.

Regards