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Epidermolysis Bullosa

Background

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is the term used to describe a number of genetically determined disorders whose principal characteristic is skin and/or mucous membrane fragility (for example in the mouth and oesophagus). The skin has a tendency to blister in response to mechanical trauma (for example any friction between the skin and clothing). Though a large number of distinct types of epidermolysis bullosa have been identified, in practice most cases can be placed in one of three categories: EB simplex, junctional EB and dystrophic EB. These are defined by the level at which there is a split between the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) of the skin, which results in the characteristic fragility of EB.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written March 2002 by Dr Raj Mallipeddi, DEBRA Research Fellow, St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

 

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