Cutis laxa: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Cutis Laxa or Elastolysis is a condition where the connective tissues, that should be tight under normal circumstances, become loose. This is mostly a congenital disease, which affects one child in every 20 Lakh births. Cutis Laxa is so rare that there are estimated to be only 400 families living with the condition.

The condition is primarily hereditary, but the same can also develop in a person during adulthood, even when there are no genetic predisposition for the disease in the patient’s family. Such a condition is known as acquired cutis laxa

If the elastolysis is not hereditary, it can be caused due to one of the following underlying diseases. For instance, Occipital Horn Syndrome can lead to the Cutis Laxa. There are several forms of Cutis Laxa, which includes Autosomal Dominant Cutis Laxa. This form of the disease can affect both males and females and may be present from birth or may even appear during the adult phase.

Generally, a person affected with the condition will have loose skin around the face, arm, legs and the body. Such a symptom usually makes the affected person look older than they really are. For instance, even children with elastolysis will seem to have similar skin tome and texture as an elderly person.,/p>

Treatment for cutis laxa is difficult, since it is often a genetic condition. Aside from the skin disorders affecting the person, elastolysis may also lead to internal disorders as well. For instance, an abdominal aortic aneurism may be caused as a result of the cutis laxa. Other symptoms ranging from the disorder may include developmental issues, fragile bones, loose joints, short stature, under-developed lungs. People affected with the condition may also have disfigured ear structure.

Diagnosis for the condition will include an inspection by the doctor. If the physician is unable to diagnose the condition in the said manner, a genetic blood testing may be advised. This will indicate whether the cutis laxa is hereditary or whether it is an acquired condition.

For the treatment, a team of doctors are required, which may include a cardiologist, a dermatologist and surgeons. Cosmetic surgery may be required to tighten the loose skin caused as a result of the disorder. However, the skin may loosen up at a later point of time and the results are temporary in most cases. Aside from managing the symptoms related to the disease, there is no final cure for the condition.

People who suffer from either hereditary or acquired cutis laxa can seek treatment for the same. The form of treatment required depends from one patient to the next. For instance, if the skin becomes too loose, the doctor may advise a cosmetic surgery to get the problem rectified. However, patients whose skins are relatively tighter may not be asked to undergo the same treatment. At any rate, the eligibility for the treatment depends on the kind of symptoms that the disease is causing.

People who are suffering from other skin conditions do not need to seek the treatment specified for cutis laxa. In such a case, a dermatologist will be able to aid you in finding out the best course of treatment.

Cosmetic surgery can lead to some side effects. Additionally, the medication used to manage the disease may also have some unforeseen effect on the patient’s overall health. Prednisone is one of the drugs that is used for the condition, but it carries several side effects. For instance, it may cause severe headaches, heartburns, sweating, and even acne. The drug is also known to reduce the immunity power of the individual, which can open up the body to other infections and diseases.

People with cutis laxa will have to endure the condition throughout their life. There is no cure for the condition and the medication or surgical procedures only allow you to manage the symptoms related to the disease. Patients are also advised to take certain precautions, in a bid to reduce the chances of the symptoms deteriorating. For example, people with cutis laxa should avoid smoking and should also limit exposing their skin to the sun.

Recovery from the disease is slow and a patient will never completely get rid of the condition from their body. There are to preventive measures, since most people are born with cutis laxa. However, there are no precautions that a person can take, so as not get affected by acquired form of the disease. This is because, doctors have yet to find out the cause behind the acquired cutis laxa.

The price of the treatment will range from anywhere between Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 1 Lakh, depending on the form of treatment and the place where the disease is being treated.

Results of the treatment are mostly temporary. If the treatment is stopped at any point of time, the symptoms will reappear or intensify.

Natural remedies can be used alongside the conventional medications to ensure better results from the treatment. For instance, apply raw egg or lemon on the skin can lead to some relief. Similarly, aloe vera, honey and cucumber are also known as good for the skin and can help immensely with the management of the symptoms.