Epidermolysis bullosa: management complexities for paediatric patients.

The genetic skin condition, epidermolysis bullosa (EB) causes the skin to be fragile and blister. As a result, blisters need to be lanced and the skin needs to be dressed with specialist dressings for protection and to promote wound healing.

METHOD: a prospective case series and product evaluation of the Allevyn™ Gentle Border Lite dressing range was conducted, with four paediatric patients diagnosed with the following types of EB: recessive dystrophic (generalised severe), dominant dystrophic, simplex (generalised severe) and junctional (localised). Specialist EB nurses at Birmingham Children's Hospital conducted the evaluation and compiled the case series. Management and outcomes: clinical, patient and health economic outcomes were captured. The outcomes reported suggest an increase in dressing time wear and a reduction in dressing changes when comparing Allevyn Gentle Border Lite dressings to the patient's regular foam dressing regime. Furthermore, a cost saving measure could be shown.

CONCLUSION: this small case series suggests that the use of the Allevyn Gentle Border Lite dressing range can positively impact the clinical, patient and health economic outcomes of paediatric EB patients.