Abstract

Leprosy is a slowly progressive disease with a low infectivity caused by mycobacterium leprae which primarily targets the skin and peripheral nerves. The cutaneous manifestations are numerous in leprosy and it can mimic many dermatoses. In non endemic areas and especially after elimination, a practitioner confronted with an acute or chronic atypical rash that is non responsive to treatment, usually do not have leprosy as a differential diagnosis. We present a case of Hansens disease in type 1 reaction that was wrongly diagnosed and managed as a case of urticaria before coming to our centre. Thus any atypical cutaneous presentation which is not responding to conventional treatment should include Hansen disease as differential diagnosis.

Keywords: hansen, urticaria, type 1 reaction.