Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is one of the major forms of epidermolysis bullosa, a group of genetic conditions that cause the skin to be very fragile and to blister easily. EBS is classified into two groups of subtypes by the layer of skin at which the peeling originates. The basal subtypes cause skin peeling at the lower layers of the epidermis. The most common basal subtypes include EBS localized, Dowling Meara EBS, Generalized other EBS and EBS with muscular dystrophy. More rarely seen basal subtypes include EBS with mottled pigmentation, EBS with pyloic atreseia, EBS Ogna, and EBS circinate migratory.The suprabasal subtypes cause skin peeling at the upper layers of the epidermis and include the rare forms known as Lethal acantolythic EB, Plakophilin deficiency, and EBS superficialis (EBSS). Symptoms of EBS range from mild in the Weber-Cockayne type to severe with blistering that is present at birth or after. Milder phenotypes of EBS have blistering confined to the limbs, whereas in the most severe Dowling Meara type, blisters may also form in the mouth. All of the types are typically caused by mutations in the KRT5 and KRT14 genes. They are usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, but autosomal recessive inheritance has occurred in rare cases. Treatment plans differ depending on severity but typically focus on preventing formation of blisters, caring for blistered skin, and treating infection.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered (mutated) gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. The mutated gene may be inherited from an affected parent, or it may occur for the first time in the affected individual. When an individual affected with an autosomal dominant condition has children, each child has a 50% (1 in 2) chance to inherit the mutated gene and be affected.