Epidermolysis bullosa or “butterfly” skin

What is Epidermolysis bullosa?

Depending on the area of skin where blistering occurs, the disease can be divided into four main groups, and subsequently 32 subgroups.

• EB simplex: blisters appear between the skin layers. Generally, it has a good prognosis and heals without scarring.
• Junctional EB: blisters form inside the basement membrane, resulting in very diverse prognosis. In this case, the disease tends to need skin treatments as well as multidisciplinary treatments.
• Dystrophic EB: blisters are subepidermal. They are the most dangerous and with highest rate of morbidity because when they heal blisters cause scarring and retraction.
• Mixed EB.

Symptoms

The most common cutaneous symptoms are blisters in the areas of greatest friction such as on the hands and feet. They are skin lesions that bleed and may form scabs that are easily infected and that itch constantly. Scratching contributes to new lesions and secondary infections of already affected areas.

Once blisters have healed, millium cysts appear, atrophic or hypertrophic scars that produce webbed hands and feet, joint contractures, as well as aesthetic and functionally limiting deformities in the hands or  that affect walking. All this leads to loss of independence.

In addition, the chronic wounds may produce highly aggressive skin carcinoma.

Aside from this, extracutaneous manifestations may result, such as involvement of the skin annexes, teeth and the gastrointestinal systems, the urinary tract and the respiratory epithelium.

Who is affected by epidermolysis bullosa?

The disease has a low prevalence rate and affects one in every 17,000 live births worldwide.

Diagnosis

The main method of diagnosis is mapping using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy techniques. In addition, genetic diagnosis is mandatory for these patients as the disease may have different evolutions and prognoses.

Typical treatment

Although it is being researched, at the moment there is no cure for this disease, but preventative and symptomatic treatment of skin lesions can be carried out, as well as treatment for systemic complications. When the disease appears it is vital to act quickly as patients’ life expectancy and quality of life depends on it.

Currently, new cellular and molecular therapies are being researched to combat the disease.