You may dismiss it as an insect bite when bumps or bites appear on your body. But when those bumps grow, become tender, or damage your skin, you may question what caused the spots.

 

A skin disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium ulcerans, known as Buruli ulcer, can start as a small bump and then start damaging your skin quickly if left untreated. The toxin from the bacteria can cause skin loss. Early detection and antibiotics are crucial for treating Buruli ulcers.

 

When you become infected by the bacteria, your skin gets destroyed by a toxin called mycolactone. What starts as a small bump becomes an ulcer that can look similar to leprosy. 

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) created the Global BU Initiative in 1998 to raise awareness and control Buruli ulcer outbreaks. From 2002 to 2016, there were over 58,000 cases reported around the world. WHO started the initiative to assess Buruli ulcer cases at local, national, and global levels. 

 

Buruli ulcer has immunosuppressive properties and is toxic to your skin. Buruli ulcers cause chronic, ulcerative skin lesions that kill your skin cells. There are multiple strains of Buruli ulcers. The bacteria, Mycobacterium ulcerans, can evolve into different strains with different transmission patterns. 

 

Buruli ulcer requires quick action after you become infected. Without antibiotic treatment, Buruli ulcers can lead to lifelong ailments. These problems include: 

 

 

A painless, nonsensitive lesion could be the first sign of Buruli ulcer. Sometimes, you may think the spot is nothing more than a mosquito or spider bite. Over time, the lesion can become more prominent or become an ulcer. Other symptoms may begin to appear.

 

After about one to two months, the bump on your arm may change shape or feel different. Buruli ulcer symptoms include: 

 

 

As the ulcer progresses, you may see other symptoms happening around the affected spot. Your ulcer may become crusty and form a scab that does not heal. Then your scab will disintegrate into your ulcer. After that, the ulcer keeps growing with or without infection. 

 

Buruli ulcer may be painless or have pain associated with an infection. If your skin becomes infected, you may experience the following: 

 

 

The first case of Buruli ulcer was reported in the 1930s in Australia. Since then, there have been reports of the disease in over 30 countries around the world. Buruli ulcer is not contagious, but that does not mean people of all ages can not become infected. 

 

Atypical mycobacteria called Mycobacterium ulcerans cause Buruli ulcers. This bacteria is in the same family as leprosy and tuberculosis. Buruli ulcer is a severe condition that can leave your skin permanently damaged without the proper treatment.

 

The exact cause of how people get Buruli ulcer is unknown. Buruli ulcer transmission can happen in a few ways. Mosquito bites can spread the ulcer. But other animals like possums and mice can also host the disease.

 

There is a possibility that the disease passes from insects found in water to humans. But no evidence shows an infected animal giving the condition to people. Lab testing in Australia showed that horses, alpacas, koalas, possums, and dogs could get Buruli ulcers.

 

Buruli ulcer is typically diagnosed with lab testing. Diagnosis and treatment happen once tissue from the ulcer gets tested. Doctors will take a direct swab from the necrotic base of your ulcer. They will run lab testing to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium ulcerans.

 

The WHO has created a recommended treatment plan for people diagnosed with Buruli ulcer. They made this plan to help reduce and manage your Buruli ulcer. 

 

Antibiotics. These are your best options for healing smaller lesions. Early antibiotic treatment works against the disease to protect your skin and heal any damage.

 

Surgery. In cases of severe damage to your skin, you may need dead tissue removed. Surgery can also cover skin defects or correct deformities.