Epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is the name for a group of rare inherited skin disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile. Any trauma or friction to the skin can cause painful blisters.

Symptoms of epidermolysis bullosa

The main symptoms of all types of EB include:

skin that blisters easily
blisters inside the mouth
blisters on the hands and soles of the feet
scarred skin, sometimes with small white spots called milia
thickened skin and nails

Types of epidermolysis bullosa

The 3 main types of EB are:

epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) – the most common type, which tends to be milder with a low risk of serious complications
dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) – which can range from mild to severe
junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) – the rarest and most severe type

The type reflects where on the body the blistering takes place and which layer of skin is affected.

There are also many variants of these 3 main types of EB, each with slightly different symptoms.

Diagnosing EB

EB is usually diagnosed in babies and children by your neonatal team, as the symptoms are often obvious from birth. But some milder types of EB may not be diagnosed until adulthood.

If it's suspected your child has the condition, they'll be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

The specialist will carry out tests to determine the type of EB and help come up with a treatment plan. They may take a small sample of skin (biopsy) to send for testing.

Prenatal testing

In some cases it's possible to test an unborn baby for EB at about 11 weeks into pregnancy.

This may be offered if you or your partner are known to be a carrier of the faulty gene associated with EB and there's a risk of having a child with a severe type of EB.

If the test confirms your child will have EB, you'll be offered counselling and advice to help you make an informed decision about how you wish to proceed with the pregnancy.

Prenatal tests include amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

Causes of epidermolysis bullosa

EB is caused by a faulty gene (gene mutation) that makes skin more fragile.

Usually, a child with EB will have inherited the faulty gene from a parent who also has EB.

It's also possible for a child with EB to have inherited the faulty gene from both parents who are just "carriers" but don't have EB themselves.

Treatment for epidermolysis bullosa

There's currently no cure for EB, so treatment aims to relieve symptoms and prevent complications developing, such as infection.

A team of medical specialists will help you decide what treatment is best for your child and offer advice about living with the condition.

You can manage EB at home by:

popping blisters with a sterile needle
applying protective dressings
avoiding things that make the condition worse

Medicines can be used to treat infection or to reduce pain. Surgery may be needed if EB causes narrowing of the food pipe or problems with the hands.

Read more about treating epidermolysis bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an acquired form of EB with similar symptoms.

Like EB, EBA causes the skin to blister easily. It can also affect the mouth, throat and digestive tract.

But EBA isn't inherited, and symptoms don't usually appear until later life.

It's an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system starts to attack healthy body tissue. It's not known exactly what causes this.

EBA is a very rare condition that tends to affect people over the age of 40.

Charities and support groups

If your child is diagnosed with EB, it can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. You'll probably want to find out as much as possible about the condition and available treatments.

DEBRA is a national charity that provides help, advice and support for people in the UK living with EB.

DEBRA International is a worldwide network of national groups working on behalf of people affected by EB.

Support for carers

It's important not to neglect your own health and wellbeing when caring for a child with a complex and demanding condition such as EB.

Read about carers' breaks and respite care and get tips on caring for a disabled child.

Information about you

If you or your child has EB, your clinical team will pass information about you or your child on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS).

This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time.

Find out more about the register

Page last reviewed: Fri Mar 2021 Next review due: Fri Mar 2021