The bacteria responsible for leprosy grow very slowly, sometimes taking 2 to 10 years before signs and symptoms appear. The symptoms tend to affect mainly to the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes (the soft, moist areas just inside the body's openings).
When loss of sensation occurs, injuries (such as burns or fractures) may go unnoticed. You should always try to avoid injuries. However, if you experience loss of sensation due to leprosy (or another cause), you may not feel pain, which commonly warns you of harm to your body. So, extra caution is required to ensure your body is not injured. 
The disease may cause symptoms, such as: 
Skin lesions that may be faded/discolored, than your normal skin tone. These lesions commonly have decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain and do not heal after several weeks to months. Growths on the skin. Thick, stiff or dry skin. Severe pain. Numbness on affected areas of the skin. Muscle weakness or paralysis (especially in the hands and feet). Eye problems that may lead to blindness. Enlarged nerves (especially those around the elbow and knee). Stuffy nose. Nosebleeds. Ulcers on the soles of feet. Since leprosy affects the nerves, loss of feeling or sensation can occur.
What are the symptoms of Leprosy?
The bacteria responsible for leprosy grow very slowly, sometimes taking 2 to 10 years before signs and symptoms appear. The symptoms tend to affect mainly to the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes (the soft, moist areas just inside the body's openings).
When loss of sensation occurs, injuries (such as burns or fractures) may go unnoticed. You should always try to avoid injuries. However, if you experience loss of sensation due to leprosy (or another cause), you may not feel pain, which commonly warns you of harm to your body. So, extra caution is required to ensure your body is not injured. 
The disease may cause symptoms, such as: 
Skin lesions that may be faded/discolored, than your normal skin tone. These lesions commonly have decreased sensation to touch, heat, or pain and do not heal after several weeks to months. {{NAME}} on the skin. Thick, stiff or dry skin. Severe pain. Numbness on affected areas of the skin. Muscle weakness or paralysis (especially in the hands and feet). Eye problems that may lead to blindness. Enlarged nerves (especially those around the elbow and knee). Stuffy nose. Nosebleeds. Ulcers on the soles of feet. Since leprosy affects the nerves, loss of feeling or sensation can occur.