Epidermolysis bullosa, three cases in an African family--medical, social and economic problems in management in a developing country.

Epidermolysis bullosa is one of the mechanobullous diseases with skin lesions in response to minor traumata. Despite its low incidence, it presents many problems relating to management in a developing country as in Africa, such as the provision of supportive care within the large (usually poor) families typical in these countries. There are problems with education, choice of vocation, prospect in marriage and other social interactions. Health education is at the lowest form of development and the government's provision of health care is limited in scope. Three cases in a family of nine are presented to highlight these features.