Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of skin disorders that begins at birth or diagnosed at the age of 30-40 years. An inherited connective tissue disease cause extremely painful blisters in the skin and mucosal membrane. The disease is rare and is known to affect 5 lakh people in the world. Life expectancy can be minimal to 50 years with its complications. It is a result of a defect in anchoring between the epidermis and dermis, and any frictional force or trauma can peal the skin and cause very painful blisters on the skin surface that develops on the hands, knees, ankles, and elbows. In many cases, blisters can be widespread to the inside of the mouth, nose, and even the eyes. The sensory neurons in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa are excited more strongly due to the deficiency of laminin-332. Damage is mainly to the skin of the whole body area and mucous membranes. Mild cases can improve with age while so severe child cases are unlikely to live into adulthood.

In Ayurveda, Epidermolysis Bullosa can be correlated with “Visarpa”. Visarpa is of many types including Agni, kardama, granthi, kshataja. Visarpa is a skin disease that occurs due to the imbalance of tridosha, mainly due to weak ojas (low immunity), unhealthy diet, unhygienic lifestyle, Virudh aahar. The treatment of Visarpa includes blood purification and whole-body detox with Panchakarma and Raktmokshan therapies. External application Lepa is also used along with oral herbal medicines for its management.

 

What are the causes of Epidermolysis Bullosa?

§  Inherited – A person with Epidermolysis Bullosa dominant form has a 50% tendency to pass the disease on to their child.

§  Gene mutation- In some cases a person may have Epidermolysis Bullosa disease without the inherited cause, due to certain mutations in the genes.

What are the Symptoms Found In Epidermolysis Bullosa Patients?

Usually epidermolysis bullosa blisters are noticed during infancy. But it's not uncommon for them to appear when a toddler first begins to walk or when an older child begins new activities that cause more friction on the soles of the feet.

• Very fragile skin (that blisters easily)
• Blisters on skin mainly on palms, inside the mouth and throat and feet
• Scarring alopecia (Blisters on the scalp that lead to hair loss)
• Skin looks thin
• Milia (Tiny bumps)
• Nails that are thick or unformed
• Dental problems like Tooth decay
• Skin changes color over time
• Itchy, painful skin

What are the Ayurvedic Remedies for Epidermolysis Bullosa?

1. Gandhak Rasayan tablets are made up of pure extracts of Shuddha Gandhak (Purified sulfur) and are mainly used for many skin disorders including scabies, itching, and Epidermolysis Bullosa. Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meal with plain water

2. Gleaming Skin, Hair, Nails Formula capsules are manufactured from standardized extracts of Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Pit Papada (Fumaria officinalis), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Ghritkumari (Aloe Vera). This formula helps to maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. It has blood cleansing properties that eliminate toxins from the body and maintain proper and pure blood flow throughout the body that supports healthy hairs, nails, and overall skin. Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meal with plain water

3. Panchatikta Ghrit Guggul is prepared from Neem (Azadirachta indica), Patola (Luffa acutangula), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), Vibhitki (Terminalia bellerica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), etc. These bitter herbs are essentially used for skin disorders. This herbal ghee treats non-healing ulcers, blisters, infections and skin diseases very effectively. Dosage- 1 tablet twice daily with warm water. 

4. Kamdudha Ras Moti Yukt is a pure made from Mukta Bhasma (Purified Pearl ash), Shankh Bhasma (Conch shell ash), Praval Bhasma (Coral ash), Mukta shukti Bhasma (Pearl oysters), etc. This balances Pitta dosha in the body that manages symptoms of pain and burning sensation at the site of blisters. It also treats blood discharge from wounds. Dosage- Take 2 tablets twice daily after meal with plain water

5. Arogyavardhini Vati tablets are prepared from Shudh Parada (Purified mercury), Shudh Ghandhak (Purified sulfur), Loha Bhasma (Iron ash), Abhraka Bhasma (processed mica), Tamra Bhasma (Copper ash), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), Vibhitki (Terminalia bellerica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Katuki (Picrorhiza Kurroa), etc. The tablets are indicated in several skin disorders as it balances all three doshas in the body. Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meal with plain water

6. Giloyghan Vati tablets are prepared from Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) which is widely known for its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-toxic properties. It is known to boost the immune system, which fights against various diseases. Its antioxidant properties prevent oxidative stress and slow down the aging of the skin.  It also improves blood flow to the skin that helps ease the symptoms of Epidermolysis Bullosa. Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meal with plain water.

Patient was advised to avoid bakery products, Dadhi, Rice, Paryushit aahar, green vegetables, Toor dal and mainly eggs. After 30 days patient got relief from symptoms.

What are the Best Homeopathic Remedies for Epidermolysis Bullosa?

·      Sulfur is best when skin becomes dry, scaly, and unhealthy, itching and burning aggravated.

·      Mezereum is indicated when eruptions turn ulcerated with formation of thick scabs.

·      Hepar Sulph is given where there is suppuration of lesions with tendency to easy bleeding, smelling like old cheese. Cracks on feet and hands are deep.

·      Dulcamara is a useful remedy for lesions with brownish-yellow crust formation with itching aggravated in cold weather.

·      Crotalus horridus is another remedy for bleeding blisters of this disease.

·      Calendula can be used externally in a diluted form for best results.

·      Syphilinum is used to remove the genetic disposition of the disease.