Epidermolysis Bullosa, also called EB is actually a group of skin conditions in which the skin blisters very easily. Blistering of the skin occurs because people who have been diagnosed with EB have very fragile skin that, when rubbed even a little, can blister. There are times when someone who has EB may not even realize their skin is rubbing against something and fail to realize the issue until a blister has developed. Some people may have such severe cases of EB that blisters will not only develop on their outer skin, but also the lining of the mouth, stomach, upper airway, bladder, and other internal areas.

EB is not restricted to one gender or ethnic group. The estimate is that two to four people out of one hundred thousand people will have a form of EB. EB is not a condition that you can catch from someone else like you would a cold virus. Instead, EB is an inherited condition that comes from one or both parents and lies in faulty genes.

In order to determine if you have EB, you can visit your dermatologist, who will take a skin biopsy. A biopsy is when the doctor takes a small sample of tissue, in this case skin, and examines it more closely. There are three main types of EB; EB Simplex (EBS), Junctional EB (JEB), and Dystrophic EB (DEB). Junctional EB and Dystrophic EB are usually more severe because they include internal blistering. EB Simplex is the most minor of the three, and is usually evident early on in childhood, such as when a child crawls or possibly even earlier by noticing blistering when areas are rubbed. Sometimes spots can be localized, such as feet and hands only. Other cases can mean widespread blistering of the skin. Other symptoms that can be present are thickened skin on the palms as well as soles of feet, and rough or thickened fingernails and toenails. Sometimes the inside of the mouth may also blister.

So what kind of skin care do you need if you have Epidermolysis Bullosa? Just like with any other skin condition, you should seek professional care first to determine the specifics, if any, of your condition. If you have a mild form of EB, you may not need any special treatment and instead simply focus on skin care. The main area of attention is, of course, to avoid rubbing areas of skin in order to avoid blisters. This can sound very difficult considering the amount of rubbing we do to our skin even in a casual situation. But with a few skin care tips, you may be able to greatly reduce those chances.

First, you should try to keep your home at an even temperature; do not allow rooms to overheat. You should apply lubricants, such as gentle moisturizers to your skin in order to reduce potential friction and allowing your skin to stay moist. Aim for simple, soft clothing instead of clothing that can feel rough or put too much pressure on skin. You may want to consider putting soft materials such as sheepskin over your car seats and other hard areas that can put too much pressure on your skin. Try not to scratch your skin, as this may lead to a blister. Because you might do so at night without knowing it, you may want to wear soft mittens that will do little to rub against your skin in case you happen to scratch during the night. This information is also useful if you are a parent and realize your child has EB, in which case skin care is even more important.

If blisters do appear, then take good care of them in order to prevent them from worsening or breaking. This can be helped by making sure you are eating healthy foods, which will strengthen your immune system and make you less prone to an infection should a blister break. Baby your skin like there is no tomorrow and you can knock down some of your EB problems.