National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, localized



Other Names:
EBS-loc; Weber-Cockayne type epidermolysis bullosa simplex; Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Weber-Cockayne type; EBS-loc; Weber-Cockayne type epidermolysis bullosa simplex; Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Weber-Cockayne type; Epidermolysis bullosa simplex of palms and soles; Epidermolysis bullosa of hands and feet; Weber-Cockayne syndrome See More
Categories:
This disease is grouped under:

The following summary is from Orphanet, a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs.
orphanet

Orpha Number: 79400

Definition
Localized epidermolysis bullosa simplex, formerly known as EBS, Weber-Cockayne, is a basal subtype of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS, see this term). The disease is characterized by blisters occurring mainly on the palms and soles, exacerbated by warm weather.

Epidemiology
Reported prevalence ranges from 1/318,000 for localized EBS in the United States to 1/35,000 for localized EBS and non-Dowling-Meara generalized EBS (combined) in Scotland. About two-thirds of EBS patients have the localized basal form.

Clinical description
Onset is usually in late infancy or early childhood. The usual distribution of blisters in these patients is on the palms and soles, although other skin surfaces may also blister if subjected to significant trauma. Milia and scarring are rare in localized EBS, and dystrophic nails are uncommon. Focal keratoderma of the palms and soles may occur by adulthood in some patients. The only common extracutaneous finding in localized EBS, i.e. localized intraoral erosions or blisters, tends to be asymptomatic, occurs in about one third of patients, and is usually seen only during infancy.

Etiology
Localized EBS is caused by dominant negative mutations within either the KRT5 (12q13.13) or KRT14 (17q12-q21) genes, encoding keratin 5 and keratin 14, respectively.

Genetic counseling
Transmission is autosomal dominant and sporadic cases are frequent.

Prognosis
Although the disease can be disabling, life-expectancy is normal.

Visit the Orphanet disease page for more resources.
Last updated: 5/1/2012

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

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Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Bruising susceptibility
Bruise easily
Easy bruisability
Easy bruising
[ more ]
0000978
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Hyperhidrosis
Excessive sweating
Increased sweating
Profuse sweating
Sweating
Sweating profusely
Sweating, increased
[ more ]
0000975
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Atrophic scars
Sunken or indented skin due to damage
0001075
Hyperkeratosis 0000962
Milia
Milk spot
0001056
Nail dystrophy
Poor nail formation
0008404
Oral mucosal blisters
Blisters of mouth
0200097
Palmoplantar keratoderma
Thickening of palms and soles
0000982
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Palmoplantar blistering 0007446
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Last updated: 7/1/2020

Making a diagnosis for a genetic or rare disease can often be challenging. Healthcare professionals typically look at a person’s medical history, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory test results in order to make a diagnosis. The following resources provide information relating to diagnosis and testing for this condition. If you have questions about getting a diagnosis, you should contact a healthcare professional.

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources


Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Patient Registry

  • A registry supports research by collecting of information about patients that share something in common, such as being diagnosed with Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, localized. The type of data collected can vary from registry to registry and is based on the goals and purpose of that registry. Some registries collect contact information while others collect more detailed medical information. Learn more about registries.

    Registries for Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, localized:
    EBCare Registry
     

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

  • RareConnect is an online social network for patients and families to connect with one another and share their experience living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Click on the link above to view the community for Epidermolysis bullosa.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Epidermolysis bullosa simplex, localized. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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