Zebra of the Week: Epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic skin diseases that cause the skin to blister and erode very easily. Blisters form in response to minor injuries or friction, such as rubbing or scratching. There are four main types of EB: EB simplex, dystrophic EB, junctional EB, and Kindler syndrome EB. With any of these main types, the disease can range from a minor inconvenience requiring activity modification, to completely disabling, and even fatal. FDA recently approved a topical gel (birch triterpenes; Filsuvez) for patients 6 months and older with junctional and dystrophic EB.