Moses N., 9

Moses is a nine-year-old boy who is in the fourth grade. He is bright and does well in school. He was born with some deformities in his fingers and toes, but this does not stop him from trying to live a normal life. When he grows up, he would like to be an intercity transportation driver or an engineer who repairs cars. He likes to play football, but he can't because of the condition of his legs, which hurts a lot when he tries to run and sometimes even after walking. A year ago, he developed a small wound on his left leg that itched a lot. The wound oozes and increases in size when scratching. It has spread to the other leg and is very painful.

Moses presented with left leg swelling that had been ongoing for a year, gradually developing without any associated trauma. Three months ago, the wound began to weep, with cracked, weeping, and hyperpigmented lesions appearing on the lower half of the leg. The patient also had ectrodactyly and a foul-smelling, purulent discharge from the affected area. An X-ray was conducted to rule out osteomyelitis, and the patient was referred for a dermatology review. He was discharged with oral Cefuroxime 250mg twice daily and oral Brufen three times a day. To ensure Moses could see the dermatologist, the Kenya Country Manager personally arranged and covered both the transport and consultation fees. Since Helpster Charity doesn’t have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the hospital he was referred to for dermatological review, the country manager stepped in to fund the process. Moses successfully had a consultation with the dermatologist, who performed a skin biopsy and diagnosed him with Lichen Simplex Chronicus. He is now receiving treatment to reduce inflammation and itching, while also softening the thickened skin caused by the condition. There is a marked improvement, and Moses who had initially stopped going to school has now resumed school and is getting better by the day

Mixed skin infections can lead to complications, such as spreading the infection to neighboring areas of skin or to other organs and systems of the body. Chronic inflammation or recurrent infections may also develop if the infection is not treated properly or adequately. In addition, allergic reactions or sensitivities to antibiotics or other drugs used may occur.