Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - cEDS
Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (cEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder marked by overly stretchy skin, markedly loose large joints, and very fragile skin that tears easily and heals with characteristic thin, atrophic scars (often described as "cigarette-paper" scars). Faulty production of type V collagen weakens the supporting framework beneath the skin, affecting both the appearance of the skin and the patient's everyday mobility.
At Haute-Derma, we understand how sensitive and challenging cEDS skin can be. By combining medical and aesthetic dermatology with targeted tissue protection, we aim to reduce injuries, speed up wound healing and improve your quality of life.
Our Approach to Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
In keeping with Haute-Derma's specialist approach, our comprehensive management of cEDS rests on careful medical principles:
- A personalized skin barrier protection plan: Focused on ingredients that support the skin's structural matrix and thicken the epidermis, improving its natural ability to withstand stress.
- Optimized wound healing: Advanced biological dressings and actives that promote rapid cell renewal, minimizing the risk of thin, atrophic scars.
- Comprehensive joint protection advice: Guidance on supports and ways to reduce mechanical strain on loose joints in everyday life and activity.
Diagnosing Classical Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome at Haute-Derma
To build the most accurate and safest management plan, Haute-Derma follows a thorough assessment process:
- Clinical skin assessment: Testing skin tolerance and extensibility at standard sites (such as the inner forearm), and checking for thin atrophic scars and molluscoid pseudotumors.
- Joint laxity assessment (Beighton score): Systematically measuring the range of motion of the fingers, wrists, elbows, knees and spine to identify generalized joint hypermobility.
- Family history and inheritance pattern: Drawing a family tree to look for autosomal dominant inheritance of joint laxity or fragile blood vessels in the family.
- Molecular genetic testing: Specialized testing for specific mutations in the COL5A1 or COL5A2 genes confirms the diagnosis at the molecular level.
How cEDS Is Managed and Cared for at Haute-Derma
Our treatment plan is designed to be gentle, keeping aggressive invasive procedures on fragile skin to a minimum:
- Epidermal repair and reinforcement: Products containing ceramides and multi-weight hyaluronic acid, together with topical and oral vitamin C (an essential cofactor in collagen synthesis), to strengthen the tissue.
- Managing early atrophic scars: For newly healed wounds, Haute-Derma uses long-pulse non-ablative laser combined with medical silicone gel sheets to stimulate collagen in a controlled way, filling depressed and thin scars without tearing or further injuring the surrounding tissue.
- Rehabilitation and mechanical protection: We work with physical therapists to design exercises that strengthen the muscles around the joints, and recommend protective braces and pads for impact-prone areas (such as knees and elbows) during daily activities.
