Home Remedies and Symptoms Of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Home Remedies and Symptoms Of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Symptoms Of Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Appearance of blisters which are filled with fluid on the skin, particularly the hands and feet from friction.
• Patient will have deformity or loss of fingernails and toenails.
• Internal blistering can also occur, such as on the vocal cords, mucous membranes or inner lining of the upper airway and esophagus.
• Blistering of the scalp with scarring and hair loss, also known as scarring alopecia.
• Thickening of the skin on the palms and the soles of the feet.
• Thinning and atrophy of the skin (atrophic scarring).
• Appearance of milia on the skin which are tiny white skin bumps/ pimples.
• Poorly formed enamel, which causes dental problems, such as tooth decaying.
• Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing).
• Serious symptoms, which need immediate medical attention, are: Difficulty in breathing, difficulty in swallowing, signs of infection, such as painful, warm, red, swollen skin with pus oozing or foul smell emanating from a sore along with fever or chills.

Home Remedies & Lifestyle Modifications for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Proper nutrition and appropriate wound care and are important in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa. Blisters can cause infection, scarring and deformity. So, it is important to take proper care of the blisters and work on ways to prevent formation of new blisters. Blisters should not be left intact, as they grow in size and lead to formation of a bigger wound when they eventually break. It is important to take proper precautions before breaking and draining the blisters. The following things can be done when tending to the blisters and wounds:-

• Always, always wash your hands before touching the blisters or changing the dressings.
• If the dressing has become soiled and sticks to the wound, then do not pull it, instead soak that region in warm water till the dressing loosens and comes off easily.
• OTC oral or topical pain medications can be used.
• Patients should try and relax and keep themselves busy.
• Biofeedback, cooling and vibration are beneficial.
• Prescription-strength pain medications can be taken half-an-hour before a dressing change or other such painful procedures.
• The skin should be cleaned daily by soaking the wound in a solution of salt and water for around 5 to 10 minutes.
• Other than salt water, the wound can be cleansed with a mild solution of diluted vinegar.
• Soaking the wound for some minutes helps in reducing the pain caused by changing the dressings.
• The wounds should be rinsed with lukewarm water.
• Puncturing the blisters will prevent them from spreading. New blisters should be punctured in two spots with the help of a sterile needle. Always leave the blister roof intact, so that the blister continues to drain and the underlying skin is kept protected.
• Topical antibiotics, moisturizing creams or petroleum jelly can be applied and the area should be covered with a special non-sticking bandage.
• The type of topical antibiotics used should be changed every month.
• The blistered hands and feet should be wrapped daily. It can help in preventing deformities and fusion of the fingers and toes.
• Oral gel can be applied to the blisters in the mouth to help relieve the pain.
• Children should be given soft, nutritious foods like soup and smoothies, which are easy to swallow. Solid foods can be pureed with milk or broth and given to the patient.
• Always serve beverages and food at lukewarm, room temperature or cold. Never serve them hot.
• Vitamin supplements should be taken to minimize nutritional deficiencies.