Intended for healthcare professionals
Diagnosis

Epidermolysis bullosa: understanding the clinical features

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an umbrella term used for a group of genetic disorders characterised by skin fragility and blistering. There are estimated to be 5,000 affected individuals in the UK.1 Although EB is rare and often cared for by specialist centres, it is a useful condition for all dermatologists to understand for a number of reasons. First, understanding EB can help us to better appreciate the elements of the dermo-epidermal junction, which is involved in many dermatological disorders. Second, there is a high volume of research activity within EB, so the condition is often encountered in medical journals and even newspapers. Finally, and most importantly, being able to make a diagnosis, and therefore direct patients to specialised EB care, can be life-changing.

Dermatology in practice 2018; 24(4): 110–114
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