Epidermolysis bullosa. Fragile, painful skin
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare, inherited skin disorder which causes the skin to be fragile.
Slight friction and bumps can result in people with EB suffering blisters and wounds due to their skin lacking vital proteins which provide its strength.
EB is complex and, therefore, advice and treatment is usually provided by a multi-disciplinary team within a specialist medical setting.
Causes of Epidermolysis bullosa
The condition is inherited in one of two ways:
- One parent has EB (this is known as dominant inheritance).
- Neither parent has the condition but both carry a faulty gene (known as recessive inheritance).
Different kinds of EB
There are four main types of Epidermolysis bullosa:
- EB simplex.
- Junctional EB.
- Dystrophic EB.
- Hemidesmosomal EB.
EB is a complex disorder and advice should always be sought from a multi-disciplinary team within a specialised medical setting.
Information for parents
Download a FREE Information Leaflet for parents with a new baby with EB. Written by Jacqueline Denyer and EB Nurse Consultant who has vast experience in caring for babies and children with EP.