Cutis Laxa has no cure and its treatment is only done to treat symptoms and prevent complications. This disease may be congenital or acquired throughout life, and its diagnosis is made through the clinical evaluation of the 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 shape and severity of the disease, but its main characteristic is very loose, flaccid and wrinkled skin.
Symptoms of Cutis Laxa
The symptoms of Cutis Laxa depend on the type and severity of the disease, but are usually:
- Flaccid skin, wrinkles and no elasticity;
- Eyes wide apart and low;
- Fingers very long, thin and curved;
- Ear malformations;
- Malformation of blood vessels;
- Heart grown;
- Muscle and bone weakness;
- Loose joints, with great elasticity;
- Mental retardation.
The skin of the face, arms, legs and abdomen is usually affected, making the person look older. In Cutis Laxa, granulomatous lesions appear red or purplish in the folds of the skin, characterized by the presence of hardened and painless plaques mainly in the inguinal region and underarms.
Diagnosis of Cutis Laxa
The diagnosis of Cutis Laxa is mainly made through the clinical evaluation of the patient's symptoms and history. In addition, the doctor may also order a skin biopsy, to evaluate the tissue changes and confirm the diagnosis. Tests such as echocardiography and abdominal X-ray can also be used to assess whether there are internal organs affected by the disease and how severe the lesions are.
However, knowing the type of Cutis Laxa is difficult, as it is necessary to make a genetic mapping in specialized clinics to identify the subtype of the disease.
Cutis Laxa Treatment
Cutis Laxa has no cure and its treatment is done to control the symptoms presented, but in more severe cases this disease can lead to death. During surgery, surgeries are usually needed to correct bone defects, hernias, or to remove excess skin, but these problems often recur.
Life-long follow-up with cardiologist and pulmonologist is also required to prevent and treat serious diseases that arise in the heart and lungs, such as aneurysm and pulmonary emphysema. Learn about these diseases in: Symptoms, causes and treatment of aortic aneurysm.
Causes of Cutis Laxa
The main cause of Cutis Laxa is the 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 its development.
