Pinta (Azul, Carate, Puru-Puru) - Medtick
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Pinta (Azul, Carate, Puru-Puru)

What is it?

A rare bacterial condition that affects the skin involving the same bacteria as syphilis, but this condition only affects the skin.

  • Symptoms occur after two to three weeks of being infected.

It mainly occurs in endemic areas and/or scattered rural areas of:

  • Central America i.e. Mexico
  • South America
  • Parts of Africa
  • Middle East

Cause

  • Bacteria:
    • Treponema carateum
  • Direct skin to skin contact via broken skin

Symptoms

Pinta is classified into three stages:

Primary Pinta:

  • One or more papules (small raised bumps) that slowly enlarge to become itchy, red, scaly plaques (large,flat lesion)?
  • The top of the feet, legs, back of the hands, and the forearms are normally affected first?
  • Swelling near sun exposed skin?

Secondary Pinta (6 months to 3 years of initial symptoms):

  • Widespread Skin eruption may appear, small papules and larger plaques called “pintids”, occur?
  • ‘Pintids’ may recur for up to 10 years?
  • Abnormal pigmentation: Lesions may appear red, white, blue, violet, or brown and scaling?

Tertiary Pinta (Two to five years of initial symptoms):

  • White lesions appear?
  • Dry, thickened skin on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands (hyperkeratosis)?
  • Skin then becomes thin and wrinkly?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Detailed Information

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