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Epidermolysis bullosa

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Epidermolysis bullosa

This is a rare group of mechano-bullous disorders in which a lack of cohesion between certain layers of the skin produces blistering in response to minor trauma (1).

A change in proteins which are responsible for maintaining skin integrity results in formation of bullae (2).

In mild varieties blistering may occur (mainly on hands and feet) only during the summer months in response to the friction of walking. In more severe varieties blistering may begin in utero and the child may be stillborn (2). The condition is inherited and genetic counselling is indicated.

Ccurrent therapy only focuses on the management of wounds and pain (3).

Birch bark extract is recommended, within its marketing authorisation, as an option for treating partial thickness wounds associated with dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa in people aged 6 months and over (4).

Major types include:

  • junctional
  • simplex
  • dystrophic (2)

Click here for example images of this condition

Reference:


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