Describe the clinical findings in EB simplex.


Localized junctional EB confined to the feet occurring in an infantry soldier. This exacerbation was produced by a long forced march. (Courtesy of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center teaching files.)
Fig. 6.2 Localized junctional EB confined to the feet occurring in an infantry soldier. This exacerbation was produced by a long forced march. (Courtesy of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center teaching files.)
In the common localized variety, the presentation is that of easy blistering noted on the hands and feet. These individuals may go undiagnosed until they are placed in a situation that generates increased pressure to these surfaces, such as marching in the military (Fig. 6-2). The generalized form is also usually present at birth, but, on rare occasions, it may not appear until 6 to 12 months of age in areas of trauma. The affected areas generally heal without scarring. In the simplex forms, generally the skin is the only thing affected; however, in the more severe forms of generalized simplex, they can have oral mucosa involvement and, on rare occasions, have esophageal strictures. The good news is that in some of the severe forms of generalized simplex EB the blistering tends to improve as the child ages. This is true for both the intraoral and cutaneous lesions.