Accident prone son with thin skin on his legs-hypoelasticity.

[hrh_disney_queen]

I hope it's OK for me to post on this board. My DS7 is not seriously impaired by anything, but he does have a problem I was wondering if anyone else has seen. He has been in the ER 4 times since he was about 3, cutting his leg bad enough for sutures. The last time he was just playing outside around another kids radio controlled Hummer, and DS just bumped into it. (didn't see it, that's what he said happened. ) Any other boy maybe would have sustained a slight bruise, but it tore DS's shin requiring 14 sutures. Last year, almost to the day, he was on the school playground equipment, a sort of "rope" ladder-really metal cable with a plastic coating, and fell through cutting his leg requiring almost 30 stitches. It was really nasty...Saw a Ped. surgeon for that one, and he said he has "hypoelasticity" of the skin. After that was all over, I called my dermatologist who said that if that was the diagnosis, there really wasn't anything medically that could be done. I am taking him to see a dermatologist in our new town next week to see if there is something to be done. Right now, it looks like long pants (look at where we live-it is 95-100 degrees for 4 months out of the year) and shin guards until we can do something else. Luckily, it doesn't bother him to wear all this stuff. Sports are out of the question for now, my DH is freaking out about taking the training wheels off his bike.

We are heading to the Nick hotel in a couple of weeks for their water park fun. I am worrying a little bit about him possibly bumping his bare legs, but I am more worried about keeping him inside a bubble all his childhood. I was thinking of taking the plastic shin guard from it's "sock" covering and taping them to his shins with waterproof medical tape. I'm not even kidding, I think it might work.

Has anyone else ever heard of this type of skin condition?

I know it's not as serious a disability as others on this thread, I appreciate y'all reading this...

 

[SueM in MN]

Saw a Ped. surgeon for that one, and he said he has "hypoelasticity" of the skin. After that was all over, I called my dermatologist who said that if that was the diagnosis, there really wasn't anything medically that could be done. I am taking him to see a dermatologist in our new town next week to see if there is something to be done. ..............We are heading to the Nick hotel in a couple of weeks for their water park fun. I am worrying a little bit about him possibly bumping his bare legs, but I am more worried about keeping him inside a bubble all his childhood. I was thinking of taking the plastic shin guard from it's "sock" covering and taping them to his shins with waterproof medical tape. I'm not even kidding, I think it might work.

Has anyone else ever heard of this type of skin condition?

I know it's not as serious a disability as others on this thread, I appreciate y'all reading this...

I have not heard of that condition before in the situation of the skin being more fragile. I have heard of hypoelasticity of the skin, but more because the skin is loose and hanging on the body. It doesn't sound like that's exactly what he has though.
You could try posting on this website:
www.eparent.com
and also look on this website:
http://www.rarediseases.org/

I think they probably would not allow your son to go down a water slide with shin guards. They might be looked at as a hazard if they did come loose. I'd be concerned about them being a hazard to him if they stay on and he lands on them.

 

[staci]

Keep an eye on your ds.

My mom was having MAJOR medical issues a few years back, and it took a long time for the doctors to figure out what was going on. She was having symptoms similar to diabetes, she gained a TON of weight, she lost lots of her mobility and balance, and she had very 'thin' skin. She actually missed my entire wedding reception (that she planned) becuase she accidentally walked her ankle into a chair leg. There were MANY wrong diagnosis before they figured out what was wrong. It ended up being related to her adrenal glands, and after surgery and a few years, she is getting back to normal. Her skin is now fine.

I am not suggesting that your ds has ANYTHING related to the adrenals, but just that your ds's skin sounds exactly like hers was. It may be related to something else. Keep your eyes open to anything else out of the ordinary. I hope that your son's skin is NOTHING like my mom's ordeal, but I read your thread and was compelled to let you know.

She is so frustrated now having spent so much time having doctors tell her that nothing was wrong with her, she just really wants to help anyone else avoid it all.

 

[Ambassador]

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