OBJECTIVES:

To know the Hansen's disease patient perceptions of the leprosy reactions, to analyze the self-care practices adopted by those with those reactions, and to discuss the relationship between these perceptions and the self-care as an indicator of care.

METHODS:

A descriptive exploratory methodology with a qualitative approach was used. A total of 11 participants in treatment for Hansen's disease reactions were interviewed. For the textual and lexical analysis of the content of the interviews, the software IRaMuTeQ was used, and, later, it was submitted to content analysis.

RESULTS:

Three thematic categories emerged: Hansen's disease reactions and their consequences in the perception of patients; the self-care toward the reactions; and the indicative for the care. The self-care practices were analyzed according to Foucault, and the participants showed concern about themselves overcoming the lack of knowledge.

CONCLUSION:

Hansen's disease reactions were perceived as physical changes, changing the whole body appearance, painful limiting daily activities, and rupturing social bonds. It was found that self-care encompasses individual and collective actions, self-knowledge and knowledge in context, as well as learning of values and social principles that help overcome the challenges of Hansen's disease reactions.

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