Tuberculosis of the skin (Skin TB)

Tuberculosis of the Skin: The picture shows positive tuberculin  test

Tuberculosis of the skin (Skin TB)

Tuberculosis of the skin or skin TB is a part of TB disease that affects most of the body organs and systems. Tuberculosis is caused by a certain species of bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. There are different forms of skin TB. However, the commonest type is Lupus Vulgaris (L.V.).

TB bacteria affect mainly the respiratory system. Lungs are the main target of m. tuberculosis. So, how do TB bacilli reach the skin?

TB bacteria reach the skin either directly through direct contact with stuffs contaminated by TB bacteria such as mucous secretions of TB patients, tissues or etc. They can also the skin from the underlying infected joints of glands. In rare cases, TB may spread by blood.

Symptoms

The symptoms of skin TB or Lupus Vulgaris include the development of well-defined reddish brown skin patches formed of small yellowish brown nodules, known as apple jelly nodules. Tuberculosis of the skin tends to appear on the face, limbs or the buttocks.

Complications

Tuberculosis is a serious health condition that usually leads to serious complications. The complications of skin tuberculosis include disfigurement due to extensive scarring and great tissue destruction. If these disfigurements occur near the eye, nose or mouth, other serious complications other scaring occur. Ectropion, or outward turn of the lower eyelid, nose destruction and microstomia, or small mouth, are examples of these complications.

In other cases, skin tuberculosis may complicate with frequent attacks of erysipelas or even tumor development.

Treatment

Tuberculosis of the skin is not treated alone. It must be treated as a part of the treatment of the systemic TB. There are many treatment regimens available for TB. The doctor decides the best treatment regimen. DOTS is one of the most famous treatment regimen for TB, and it should be continued for at least uninterrupted three months.