Symptoms of Collagen Deficiency: When the Skin Becomes Excessively Loose

Symptoms of Collagen Deficiency

When the skin becomes excessively loose

Collagen deficiency is one of the genetic disorders. It refers to a condition in which a collagen gene causes abnormalities in the skin and joints. It is also called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Symptoms appear according to nine types, and it is a rare disease that occurs in about 1 in 10,000 people.

Today, let’s look at the main symptoms and causes of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Cause

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic disorder that is known to be inherited by the fetus mainly through autosomal recessive or dominant traits.

The incidence rate is the same in men and women, and it is mainly known to occur in premature infants born after premature rupture of the amniotic membranes.

Due to gene mutation, problems arise in the structure and function of the proteins that produce collagen, which interferes with collagen synthesis and production and leads to deficiency.

Symptoms

When collagen in the body is insufficient, various symptoms can appear. Among them, let’s look at the most representative symptoms of collagen deficiency.

First, the skin loses its elasticity and remains sagging. Because the skin is weak, bruises and injuries can easily occur even without any special trauma.

Also, wounds often do not heal properly after they occur, leading to scarring. Joints move excessively, which can cause dislocation or bending.

Because of joint flexibility, abnormalities can develop in the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of related diseases, and arthritis and joint pain commonly occur.

Among the types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the hypermobile type is the most common, while the vascular type is known to be the most dangerous.

In the case of the vascular type, blood vessels and internal organs can rupture, making it a serious form of the disease that can lead to death from bleeding.

A characteristic of the vascular type is that small blood vessels are visible in the upper chest and lower body, and because the blood vessels are fragile, they can rupture easily, which can worsen internal bleeding.

As a result, in patients with vascular-type collagen deficiency, the uterus may rupture during pregnancy, and arterial bleeding may occur.

Hyperextensibility of the small joints is seen, tendons and muscles may rupture, and characteristic facial features such as clubfoot, a thin nose, thin lips, and large eyes may appear.

For patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, preventing injury is the most important thing, so it is recommended to wear protective gear before exercising.

Also, if you undergo a procedure, the tissues and skin are fragile, so wounds and scarring can easily occur. Therefore, it is better to avoid unnecessary procedures after consulting with a specialist.

Today, we looked at the symptoms and causes of collagen deficiency, and I hope the information above was helpful.