Epidermolysis Bullosa

Contact help group: Debra Ireland
Tel: 01 6776855
Email: info@debraireland.org
Website: www.debraireland.org

Epidermolysis Bullosa - EB - is a distressing and painful skin disorder caused by a fault in the genes. The skin layers and internal body linings separate and blister at the slightest touch. Children born with EB have skin that is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly - and as easily damaged.

Pain becomes part of the daily routine of life if you or a family member has EB. But that's not all, in its most severe form, EB can be fatal in early childhood.

About 1 in 18,000 newborn children in Ireland are effected by one of the forms of EB. It is something you are born with - it can't be caught! EB appears in all populations, race groups and both sexes. EB is a genetic condition and it can run in families. These vary, in its mildest forms, localised blistering causes significant distress. For those sufferers with the more severe forms, the terrible external scarring and internal blistering can lead to general debilitation, deformity, cancer and a premature death. As there is no cure - yet - EB is effectively a life sentence for both sufferers and their families.