Overview
Acral self-healing collodion baby is an extremely rare skin condition that belongs to the group of inherited skin disorders called ichthyoses. Babies with this condition are born wrapped in a tight, shiny membrane called a collodion membrane, but unlike classic collodion baby presentations, the membrane is mainly limited to the hands and feet (the acral areas). Within the first few weeks of life, this membrane naturally peels off and the skin underneath heals on its own without the need for major medical treatment. This is why the condition is described as 'self-healing.' The condition is caused by changes in genes involved in skin barrier formation, specifically the TGM1 gene, which provides instructions for making an enzyme important for normal skin development. Because the membrane is restricted to the extremities and resolves spontaneously, the long-term outlook is generally very good. After the collodion membrane sheds, the skin typically appears normal or near-normal, though some mild dryness or scaling may persist in some individuals. Treatment is mainly supportive during the newborn period, focusing on keeping the skin moisturized, preventing infection, and monitoring for any complications related to the tight membrane on the hands and feet. This condition is considered one of the mildest forms within the collodion baby spectrum.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Tight, shiny membrane covering the hands and feet at birthRestricted movement of fingers and toes due to the membraneDry or cracked skin on the hands and feetPeeling skin in the first weeks of lifeMild redness of the skin underneath the membranePossible mild skin dryness after the membrane shedsTightness of the skin around the fingers or toes
Clinical phenotype terms (6)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal recessive
Passed on when both parents carry the same gene change; often skips generations
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Acral self-healing collodion baby.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Acral self-healing collodion baby.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Acral self-healing collodion baby.
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my baby's condition definitely the self-healing type, or could it develop into a more severe form of ichthyosis?,What specific skin care routine should I follow during the newborn period?,What signs of infection or complications should I watch for?,Should we pursue genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis?,What is the chance that future children could be affected?,Will my child need any long-term skin care or follow-up?,Are there any specialists we should see regularly?
Common questions about Acral self-healing collodion baby
What is Acral self-healing collodion baby?
Acral self-healing collodion baby is an extremely rare skin condition that belongs to the group of inherited skin disorders called ichthyoses. Babies with this condition are born wrapped in a tight, shiny membrane called a collodion membrane, but unlike classic collodion baby presentations, the membrane is mainly limited to the hands and feet (the acral areas). Within the first few weeks of life, this membrane naturally peels off and the skin underneath heals on its own without the need for major medical treatment. This is why the condition is described as 'self-healing.' The condition is caus
How is Acral self-healing collodion baby inherited?
Acral self-healing collodion baby follows a autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Acral self-healing collodion baby typically begin?
Typical onset of Acral self-healing collodion baby is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.