The skin is a protective layer that shields the body from harmful elements in the environment. Sometimes the skin can thicken or it can become thin. In some cases, thinning of the skin can begin at birth. Sometimes, an inherited disease can lead to thin skin. Fortunately, some of the causes of thin skin can be managed with certain treatments.
Epidermolysis Bullosa
The Mayo Clinic says that epidermolysis bullosa is a skin condition that typically affects infants and children, but it can also affect adolescents and adults. Typically, the condition is inherited.
Symptoms of epidermolysis bullosa include thin-appearing skin, skin blistering, sweating, trouble swallowing and blistering of the throat, esophagus, airway, intestines and urinary tract. Epidermolysis bullosa can also lead to scarring of the scalp, teeth problems and pimples on the skin.
Three types of epidermolysis bullosa exist. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is the most common type and typically begins at birth or during infancy. Junctional epidermolysis is severe and occurs at birth. Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa can be mild or severe and affects people at birth or childhood.
Treatment for epidermolysis bullosa involves caring for the blisters as a doctor instructs. In some cases, he may instruct you to rupture the blister with a sterile needle and apply an antibiotic ointment to it. Physical therapy and surgery are other treatment options.
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
Ichythyosis vulgaris, also known as fish scale disease, is a skin condition in which skin cell production becomes excessive or the process of skin shedding becomes delayed, says the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of ichthyosis vulgaris include dry skin, thinning of the skin and white, gray or brown scales on the skin.
Ichythyosis vulgaris is an inherited disorder.
Unfortunately, no cure exists for this condition. However, ointments and creams containing alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid and glycolyic acid are used to manage the dryness and scaling of the skin. Sometimes, medications called retinoids can be prescribed to decrease skin cell production.
Progeria
Progeria refers to a disease in which children rapidly age. MedlinePlus says that typical symptoms of progeria include thin skin, baldness, a narrow face, a small jaw, dry skin and a large head. Progeria also causes a loss of eyelashes and eyebrows.
MedlinePlus says that 90 percent of children with progeria have an alteration in the gene that makes protein lamin A.
Unfortunately, no treatment exists for progeria and sufferers of this disease typically live only until their teen years.
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