The Singapore Family Physician
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Vol 42 No. 1 - Self-Care Techniques
A Patient with Coarse Facies and Skin Changes – A Case Report of Undiagnosed Hansen’s Disease Presenting to Primary Care. When Should We Suspect It, and What Should We Do?
The Singapore Family Physician
Vol 42
No 1
- Self-Care Techniques
49
- 53
1 January 2016
0377-5305
A 44-year-old Malay gentleman was seen at the polyclinic on the advice of a medical social worker. He was noted to have coarse facies, extensive skin peeling, and nail deformities in all 4 limbs. He was suspected to have leprosy and referred to the National Skin Centre (NSC) which confirmed the diagnosis of Lepromatous Leprosy by histology. He has shown good progress since starting on a course of treatment. A brief review is presented here as a reminder of the challenges faced in the care of a condition largely forgotten in our highly urbanised setting: Hansen’s disease.