Epidermolysis bullosa
Overview
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is the name for a group of rare inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile. Any trauma or friction to the skin can cause painful blisters.
Symptoms
Common symptoms in all types of EB include: skin that blisters easilyblisters on the hands and soles of the feetthickened skin that may be scarred or change colour over timethickening of the skin and nails
Causes
EB is caused by a faulty gene (gene mutation) that makes skin more fragile. A child with EB might have inherited the faulty gene from a parent who also has EB. Or they might have inherited the faulty gene from both parents who are just "carriers" but don't have EB themselves. The change to the gene can also happen by chance, when neither parent are carriers.
Treatment
There's currently no cure for EB, so treatment aims to relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing, such as infection. A team of medical specialists will help you decide what treatment is best for your child and offer advice about living with the condition. Managing EB can include: popping blisters with a sterile needleapplying protective dressingsavoiding things that make the condition worse A gel containing birch bark extract can be used to treat DEB and JEB in people aged 6 months and over. Medicines can be used to treat infection or to reduce pain. Surgery may be needed if EB causes narrowing of the food pipe or problems with the hands. Read more abouttreating epidermolysis bullosa.