Mataracy
VIP Contributor
The disease is found in Africa, in dry savanna areas. The infection is carried by a small sandfly from person to person, and from rodents such as rock hyrax living in burrows nearby. The fly infects a person when it bites.
One form of the disease causes damage inside the body ( visceral leishmaniasis, kala- azar). This is difficult to recognize and the treatment is very complicated and expensive. If possible, seek medical help.
Another form affects mainly the skin ( cutaneous leishmaniasis, tropical sore).
This is easier to treat.
Signs of leishmaniasis of the skin:
- 2 to 8 weeks after being bitten, a swelling appears on the site of the original bite.
- The swelling becomes an open sore , usually with pus.
- Sores can heal by themselves, but may take several week to 2 yeas .
- Sores become infected ( with bacteria) very easily.
Treatment:
- Clean the sore with cool, boiled water.
- Apply a hot, moist cloth to the sore ( not so hot it burns the skin) for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do this 2 times a day for 10 days. This ' heat treatment' often brings a complete cure. A paper - thin scar remains.
- If the sore remains looking infected ( red and painful), give antibiotics.
One form of the disease causes damage inside the body ( visceral leishmaniasis, kala- azar). This is difficult to recognize and the treatment is very complicated and expensive. If possible, seek medical help.
Another form affects mainly the skin ( cutaneous leishmaniasis, tropical sore).
This is easier to treat.
Signs of leishmaniasis of the skin:
- 2 to 8 weeks after being bitten, a swelling appears on the site of the original bite.
- The swelling becomes an open sore , usually with pus.
- Sores can heal by themselves, but may take several week to 2 yeas .
- Sores become infected ( with bacteria) very easily.
Treatment:
- Clean the sore with cool, boiled water.
- Apply a hot, moist cloth to the sore ( not so hot it burns the skin) for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do this 2 times a day for 10 days. This ' heat treatment' often brings a complete cure. A paper - thin scar remains.
- If the sore remains looking infected ( red and painful), give antibiotics.
