Cutis Laxa has no cure and its treatment is done only to treat symptoms and prevent complications. This disease can be congenital or acquired throughout life, and its diagnosis is made through the clinical evaluation of symptoms.
Cutis Laxa is a disease characterized by defects in connective tissue, a material that fills the spaces between cells, giving structure and support to the organs and tissues of the body. Its symptoms depend on the form and severity of the disease, but its main feature is very loose, flaccid skin with wrinkles.
Symptoms of Cutis Laxa
Symptoms of Cutis Laxa depend on the type and severity of the disease, but are usually:
- Flaccid skin, wrinkled and with no elasticity; Eyes very separated from each other and low; Fingers very long, thin and curved; Malformations of the ear; Malformation of blood vessels; Grown heart; Muscular and bone weakness; Loose joints, with great elasticity; Mental retardation.
The skin on the face, arms, legs and abdomen is usually affected, making the person look aged. In Cutis Laxa granulomatosa red or purplish lesions appear in the folds of the skin, characterized by the presence of hardened and painless plaques, mainly in the inguinal region and in the armpits.
Diagnosis of Cutis Laxa
The diagnosis of Cutis Laxa is made mainly through the clinical evaluation of symptoms and the patient's history. In addition, the doctor may also order a skin biopsy exam to assess tissue changes and confirm the diagnosis. Tests such as echocardiography and abdominal X-rays can also be used to assess whether there are internal organs affected by the disease and how severe the injuries are.
However, knowing which type of Cutis Laxa is difficult, as it is necessary to carry out a genetic mapping in specialized clinics to identify which subtype of the disease.
Cutis Laxa Treatment
Cutis Laxa has no cure and its treatment is done to control the symptoms presented, but in the most severe cases this disease can lead to death. During treatment, surgery is usually required to correct bone defects, hernias or to remove excess skin, but it is common for these problems to reoccur.
Lifelong follow-up with cardiologists and pulmonologists is also necessary to prevent and treat serious diseases that arise in the heart and lungs, such as aneurysm and pulmonary emphysema. Learn more about these diseases at: Symptoms, causes and treatment of aortic aneurysms.
Causes of Cutis Laxa
The main cause of Cutis Laxa is genetic inheritance, when the child inherits a defective gene from the parents and is already born with the disease. However, it can also be acquired throughout life, usually linked to diseases such as myeloma, lymphoma, celiac disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but there is still no clear cause for their development.
