Sock Monkeys Clothing About Epidermolysis Bullosa
Please note that we at Sock Monkeys Clothing are not doctors or medical experts.  We are a family-run business with a little loved one who suffers with a severe skin condition.  To help her stay safe from scratching and to help other little itching ones, we did some research and developed Sock Monkeys Clothing . Below are some of our learnings – we hope you find this information useful. What is Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and who gets it?       Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disease characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation. There are 3 main types of EB. For the purposes of this website, we will refer to them as one common disease. In severe cases, blisters may develop inside the body – in places such as the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. For purposes of this website, we will focus on the skin blisters. EB is not contagious. Anybody can get EB, but it generally first appears in babies or toddlers. It is estimated that 50 out of every million babies born will have EB. How do I treat my baby's EB? There is no current cure for epidermolysis bullosa. Treatment is focused on preventing blistering, pain, and infection, and promoting healing. In extreme cases, including deformities, surgery may be required. Blisters In EB, even slight friction can produce blisters, so minimal and gentle handling is absolutely necessary. To protect the skin from forming blisters, you can: Keep the child in a cool environment and avoid overheating. Heat can be a primary factor for blistering and skin irritation. Apply lotion to the skin to reduce friction and keep the skin moist. Use a water or air mattress padded with foam and covered with soft fleece or a percale sheet. Wear soft clothing, preferably with mittens, to help prevent scratching (such as Sock Monkeys Clothing!). Use sheepskin on car seats and other hard surfaces. Pick the baby up from their bottom and back of the neck - NOT under their arms. When changing bandages, do not pull off a soiled dressing if it is sticking. Instead, soak the area in warm water until the dressing loosens. Talk with your doctor about the following treatment considerations: Break blisters in their early stages with a sterile needle. Leaving the roof of the blister intact allows the blister to drain while protecting the underlying skin. If a blister is left intact, it can grow bigger and create a larger wound. Apply an antibiotic ointment before bandaging the blisters. Do not apply bandages or tape directly to the skin. Consider a mild painkiller, if necessary. Explore special bandages that will help the blisters to heal, lessen the pain, and prevent infection. Infection Infection is a primary concern when dealing with EB. Signs of infection are: Redness and heat around an open area of skin Pus or a yellow discharge Crusting on the wound surface A red line or streak under the skin that spreads away from the blistered area A wound that does not heal Fever or chills Your doctor may treat infection with: An antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly A soaking solution An oral antibiotic to reduce the growth of bacteria A special wound covering (for sores that don't heal) Is nutrition a factor in my infant's EB? In cases where blisters appear in the mouth and esophagus, it can be hard to chew and swallow. Because nutrition is so important for proper growth and development, it is important that children with EB eat well. Steps you can take to help prevent nutritional problems in children with EB include: Feed infants using a bottle with a special nipple (designed for premature infants), an eyedropper, or a syringe. When the baby is old enough to take in food, add extra liquid such as broth or milk to finely mashed food to make it easier to swallow. Give your children soups, milk drinks, mashed potatoes, custards, puddings, and fruit smoothies. Never serve food that is too hot. Current research on EB is focused genes involved in EB, ways to correct genes related to EB, better ways to heal blister wounds, and improved bandages for blister wounds. For more information (and the source of some of our findings), check out these sites: NIAMS Mayo Clinic DebRA eMedicine	Home   Products   Visit our Blog Page!!   About Us   Sizing Chart   About Eczema   About Psoriasis   Questions? Comments? Email Us!!