Cultural practice and beliefs hampering the treatment of leprosy--an area of concern.

Hansen’s disease (HD) can have a catastrophic effect on the quality of life of patients, especially when treatment is delayed. Nerve damage and its sequels are the major concern for health care providers. Early diagnosis and treatment are the only ways to mitigate the damage caused by HD. Sometimes cultural beliefs and practices become a barrier to early diagnosis and the initiation of multi drug therapy (MDT). Here we report two cases who presented late because of their belief that tattooing not only prevents the spread of disease but also contains the disease, allowing cure.