This rare skin disorder involves the constant separation of the first and second layers of the skin, between the dermis and epidermis. With exposure to minor injury, irritated, angry-red blisters form on the skin, and then develop into open sores. Often, in many cases, skin on the fingers and toes will heal incorrectly, fusing fingers and toes together; as a result, many epidermolysis bullosa patients need help completing simple tasks, making it a debilitating disorder.
This genetic disorder is classified into four main categories: dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, epidermolysis bullosa simplex, hemidesmosomal epidermolysis bullosa, and junctional epidermolysis bullosa, with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa being the most severe form. However, some scientists believe there is a fifth type of epidermolysis bullosa known as epidermolysis bullosa acquista, although it is classified as an autoimmune disorder.
Although the exact origin of this disorder remains unknown, this disorder often occurs at birth or shortly after birth. It has also been classified as an inherited genetic disorder, in which both parents must be carriers for the mutated gene. However, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is usually present in people over 50, but some cases have been seen in children; some scientists have linked the origin of this form of epidermolysis bullosa to Crohn’s disease, otherwise known as inflammatory bowel disease, and to lupus.
Although the symptoms of this skin disorder can vary from condition to condition, patients usually experience blistering of the skin and may face lethal skin blistering that poses a threat on other bodily organs. In contrast, patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, the least severe form of E.B., may not see signs until adulthood, causing the individual to go years without diagnosis of the disorder.