A Case of Self-Healing Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex Suspected to be a New Type

Abstract

We report a case of self-healing epidermolysis bullosa simplex. The patient was a 1-day-old female who was referred to our clinic with erosion on her soles and foot joints bilaterally. On physical examination, deep ulcer-like erosions from the inside of the sole to the medial foot joint were bilaterally observed resulting in abnormal position of both great toes. The level of bullae could not be determined light microscopically, but an electron microscopic examination revealed the bullae to be caused by a degeneration of the basal cells in the epidermis. This was thus determined to be a type of epidermolysis bullosa simplex. The patient has been entirely free from disease for 3 years and no scarring nor deformity remain on the large toes. The findings of this case differed from the previously reported instances and thus may be a new type of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.