Hyperpigmented macules surrounded by hypopigmented rim in a case of lepromatous leprosy

Abstract

Introduction: leprosy is a chronic infectious mycobacterial disease caused by M. leprae. It primarily involves the skin and nerves, presenting with skin lesions and nerve enlargement. The skin lesions vary from hypopigmented, anesthetic macules/plaques to erythematous papules, plaques, and nodules, depending upon the type of leprosy. Hyperpigmented lesions in leprosy are rarely reported. Although hypopigmented lesions are commonly seen, perilesional hypopigmentation is a rare occurrence in leprosy. Perilesional hypopigmentation is seen as Woronoff’s ring around resolving lesions of psoriasis. A similar phenomenon called the halo phenomenon is associated with various skin tumors. Case Presentation: we describe a rare presentation of a leprosy case presenting with hyperpigmented lesions surrounded by a perilesional hypopigmented rim.

Keywords

• Leprosy
• Multidrug therapy
• Woronoff’s ring
• Hypopigmented halo
• Mycobacterium leprae