An Urticaria Closet Simulating Leprosy in A 36-Year-Old Woman

Abstract

Urticaria corresponds to a papular edematous pruriginous fleeting rash on the skin whose cause is most often allergic (food, medicines, insect bites, etc.).

Its management is often difficult because of its significant impact on quality of life. Its prevalence is estimated at 0.6% - 1.3% of the general population. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) or Hansen’s bacillus (BH). Considered as the great simulator leprosy can pose a diagnostic problem with many other dermatological pathologies. This is a 36-year-old patient with a history of chronic urticaria treated with Loratadine 10 mg who consulted the Bamako Dermatology Hospital for a large erythematous cupboard, oedematous fixed on the buttocks evolving for more than 3 days. The interrogation found the notion of pruritus, hives, and physical examination, showed large erythematous plaques, edematous very limited, dark red color, and slightly copper resembling the closet infiltrated by leprosy. The pruriginous nature of the lesions and the absence of other cardinal signs of leprosy allowed us to make the diagnosis of chronic urticaria.