Epidermolysis Bullosa, also known as "butterfly disease," is a rare genetic condition. This congenital disease lets the skin be as fragile as those of butterfly wings. Affected patients can develop painful blisters and sores easily, proving life very difficult to live for all their daily activities. Though its prevalence is extremely rare, estimated to occur in 1 of each 50,000, the impact of this disease on children born with severe forms of the disease is immense.

Although the problems associated with butterfly disease are tremendous, there is a promise of improvement with advancements in gene therapy and other treatments. Research and innovations such as topical gene therapy are bringing new hope for the management of symptoms and possibly curative solutions in the future.

This article delves into the complexities of butterfly disease, including its causes, symptoms, and current developments in treatments, along with essential care tips for managing the condition.

What is Butterfly Disease?

Butterfly disease is a collection of very rare genetic conditions that cause severe skin fragility. Even the slightest pressure or friction from clothing, touch, or minor injuries can cause the skin to tear or blister. The blisters can occur anywhere on the body, including internally, such as in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and eyes.

Children with EB are sometimes referred to as "butterfly children" because their skin is fragile, just like the wings of a butterfly. In less severe cases, blisters may primarily occur on the hands, knees, or elbows. In the most severe cases, blistering can be all over the body, leading to scarring, deformities, and even life-threatening complications.

What causes Epidermolysis Bullosa?

EB, butterfly disease, originates from mutations that damage the structure of the skin. These mutations result in broken bonds between layers of the skin and cause separation at stress points. There are 30 different subtypes, but they all fit into one of four larger categories based on where the lesions affect the skin.

The most common subtype, epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), accounts for about 70% of cases. It is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning a single defective gene copy from one parent can cause the condition. Other, less common forms may require two defective gene copies—one from each parent—making them autosomal recessive.

Symptoms of Butterfly Disease

The symptoms of butterfly disease vary according to subtype and severity. Generally, all kinds of EB share the hallmark feature of fragile skin that blisters and tears easily.

• Blisters on hands, feet, and other pressure-prone areas.
• Scarring and thickened skin in areas prone to friction.
• Blisters can be found internally within the mouth and esophagus, impairing the ability to eat and digest food.

There are severe complications with the more severe forms of EB where blisters form in areas of the eyes, airway, and gastrointestinal tract. Such may lead to conditions such as:

Infections: Open sores are easily susceptible to bacterial infections that may eventually result in deadly sepsis.

Malnutrition and dehydration: Inability to eat due to blisters in the mouth and esophagus.

Risk of cancer: Squamous cell carcinoma is a skin cancer with an increased risk of development.

Life expectancy varies according to the severity. The milder forms of the disease tend to improve with age, while the severe types usually result in early death. Most patients die before reaching the age of 30 years.

Also Read: Smurf Syndrome: Rare Condition That Turns Your Skin Blue-Gray Permanently

Is there a Cure?

Currently, there is no cure for butterfly disease; however, the advancements recently done can offer a much better management system along with improved quality of life.

Gene Therapy

In 2023, the FDA approved a revolutionary gene therapy gel called Vyjuvek. This gel targets dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a severe subtype caused by mutations in the gene responsible for producing a crucial type of collagen in the skin. Vyjuvek helps heal wounds and prevent further damage by delivering functional copies of the gene directly to affected cells.

• Another remarkable advancement is in developing this gene therapy into an eye drop for vision restoration in EB-related eye scarring.

Other Treatments Involve

• Filsuvez Gel: It is an FDA-approved birch bark gel used to facilitate wound healing in specific subtypes of EB.
• Supportive Care: Pain management, blister drainage, and nonadhesive bandages all contribute to relieving symptoms.

For severe patients, complications may necessitate surgery, including correction of esophageal strictures or deformity due to scar tissue.

Essential Tips for At-Home Care

Caring for butterfly disease needs a lot of attention to prevent complications and ease pain.

• Non-adhesive dressings on the wound with some loose gauze on it.
• Wear loose-fitting, tagless clothes to reduce friction.
• Speak with your doctor about the proper methods to drain blisters safely, to avoid infections.
• Steer clear of heat and moisture; make the environment as cool as possible and bath at room temperature.
• Many patients have deficiencies in iron, selenium, and vitamin D. Consult a nutritionist for suggestions of foods that have these nutrients in them to boost overall health.
• For any of these signs to be red, warm, and pus-filled, seek medical attention as soon as possible if infection is suspected.

Trial of Beremagene Geperpavec (B-VEC) for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022

Suicides are one of the leading causes of death around the world. While it is easy to say that the person who chose to take their lives did it of their own violation, Harvard psychologist Dr. Matthew Nock, explains the other side. “90% of people who try and kill themselves say, I didn't want to die per se. I wanted to escape from seemingly intolerable.” Speaking on the On Purpose podcast with Jay Shetty, Dr. Nock pointed out that the link between work pressure and suicidal thoughts varies by race and ethnicity.

The concerning rise in suicide cases tied to work pressure has fueled a social media conversation about toxic work culture. What was once considered a normal part of the professional grind is now being openly challenged, as people share personal stories of the anxiety, depression, and isolation caused by unhealthy work environments.

What Professions Are At High Risk Of Suicide?

According to Dr. Matthew Nock, certain careers are linked to a higher risk of suicide.

Police Officers

He noted that physicians and police officers are among those at high risk. He mentioned a spike in suicides among New York City police officers, who are predominantly white men, and shared that female police officers, in particular, face a higher risk, even when accounting for factors like age, race, and ethnicity.

According to a 2025 study published in the Police Practice and Research, on average, 21.4 out of every 100,000 officers died by suicide each year.

The study showed that the suicide rate was much higher for male officers (22.7 per 100,000) than for female officers (12.7 per 100,000).

Physicians

Dr. Nock explained that access to means is a significant factor in these high-risk professions, which helps explain why physicians, police officers, and military members have a much higher risk of suicide compared to others.

Another study published in 2024 The BMJ, showed that the number of suicides among doctors has been going down, female doctors are still at a much higher risk than other people.

When looking at all the data, male doctors were found to have a 5% higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.

In a more recent analysis of the last few years, the overall suicide rate for doctors has decreased, which is good news. But even with this improvement, female doctors still have a 24% higher risk than the general public.

Why We Need To Talk More About Suicide

Dr. Nock stresses the importance of openly discussing suicide, particularly in schools. He compared it to fire drills or earthquake preparedness, saying that since 15% of people will experience suicidal thoughts, it's crucial to equip everyone with a safety plan..Dr. Matthew Nock said, "We know that asking about suicide, talking about suicide, does not make people suicidal."

He noted that the people who act on suicidal thoughts often show different signs than those who just have the thoughts. While depression is a strong predictor of having suicidal thoughts, other factors like anxiety, aggressiveness, poor behavioral control, and drug or alcohol use are more closely linked to a person actually attempting suicide.

He believes that a small educational module on suicide in health class could help save lives by teaching people what to do if they or someone they know is struggling.

While we all know air pollution affects our health, did you know that it was actually driving cancer cases higher? This has led to a big rise in health problems worldwide. Past studies show that air pollution is linked to about seven million premature deaths each year and contributes to over 3% of all years of healthy life lost globally. This revelation was a big concern for public health, and to fix it, many measures were taken.

While some countries like the US showed promising results in bettering public health, a recent study in the International Journal of Public Health showed that this positive trend is not yet showed up in China.

How Is PM2 Pollution Affecting Our Health?

One of the most dangerous types of air pollution is called fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. These tiny particles come from car exhaust, factory smoke, and even from the smoke created by burning solid fuels inside homes. Because they are so incredibly small, they can stay suspended in the air for a long time and, when we breathe them in, they go deep into our lungs.

Once inside the body, PM2.5 can cause inflammation and even change our genes, which increases our risk for many illnesses, especially tracheal, bronchial, and lung (TBL) cancers. A new study looked at how much PM2.5 pollution has affected TBL cancer rates in China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States from 1990 to 2021.

Has Pollution-Related Health Risk Decreased Everywhere?

The study, which used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, found some important trends:

Overall Cancer Rates Are Declining

The good news is that globally, the number of deaths and years of healthy life lost due to TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 pollution are going down. This positive trend was consistent in all the countries studied: China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S.

China's Unique Challenge

Despite this global trend, China faced a much higher death rate from TBL cancer linked to PM2.5 compared to the other three countries. While their rates are decreasing, they still remain significantly higher than the worldwide average.

Household Pollution Hits Women Harder

The research also looked at pollution from burning solid fuels inside homes. The global death rate from TBL cancer linked to this type of pollution has remained stable, but it's actually increasing for women while it's decreasing for men. This highlights a specific danger for women in homes that rely on these fuels.

Will This Pollution Cancer Trend Keep Rising?

Looking ahead, researchers predict that the global death rate for TBL cancer caused by PM2.5 will actually increase over the next 29 years. However, the study notes that countries like China, South Korea, and the U.S. are expected to see a significant drop in their rates, while Japan's numbers are expected to stay about the same.

Overall, this study shows that while air pollution is a serious global health risk, the efforts to reduce PM2.5 exposure in many countries are making a real, positive difference.

Maintaining our gut health is not as easy as it seems. Even things like how you do your bowel movements could reveal how healthy your gut actually is. According to Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a board-certified gastroenterologist, many of us are making common mistakes on the toilet that can lead to real health problems. Here are three crucial habits to change to improve your gut health. Here are three mistakes' people make will they are in the washroom.

3 Bathroom Mistakes You Are Making

Stop Straining

Pushing or straining when you poop can cause serious issues like hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in your rectum and anus, and anal fissures, which are small tears in the lining of your anus. In more severe cases, it can even lead to rectal prolapse, where part of the rectum slides out of the anus. Instead of forcing it, focus on taking deep breaths. This helps your abdominal muscles relax and allows your body to do its job naturally, reducing the risk of painful complications.

Put Down Your Phone

Scrolling on your phone while on the toilet can be a bad habit. Spending extra time on the toilet, even if you’re not straining, puts pressure on the delicate veins in your rectum. This can cause them to swell, significantly increasing your risk of hemorrhoids. To protect yourself, it’s best to keep your bathroom breaks short—ideally, under five minutes.

Don't Ignore the Urge

When you feel the need to poop, it's important not to hold it in, which makes it much more difficult to pass later, leading to and worsening constipation. When you feel the need to go, listen to your body. Holding it in causes your stool to get harder and drier, which makes constipation much worse and more painful later on. Train your gut to go when it says it's time.

Simple Ways To Improve Your Bowel Movements

Go at the Same Time Each Day

Try to create a routine. If you're often straining without success, try sitting on the toilet about 30-60 minutes after a meal, when your colon is naturally more active. A little stretching or a short walk beforehand can also help things get moving.

Use a Stool for Your Feet

The natural position for a bowel movement is squatting. You can mimic this position on a regular toilet by placing a small stool under your feet to raise your knees above your hips. This simple change helps your muscles relax and can make bowel movements easier and more complete.

Focus on Fiber and Fluids

Fiber is essential for creating soft stool that's easy to pass. Most adults should aim for 25 to 35 grams a day. Just remember to add it to your diet slowly. As you increase your fiber, be sure to drink more water and other non-caffeinated fluids, since caffeine can dehydrate you and make stool harder.

When to Seek Help

While these tips are a great starting point, sometimes you need more personalized help. You should talk to your doctor if you notice any of these signs:

• A recent, unexplained change in your bowel habits
• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained stomach pain
• A pelvic health physical therapist can also provide a full evaluation and create a personalized plan to improve your bowel health.