Skip to content
knowrare
HealthSignal
Your condition community

Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

An inherited connective tissue condition with very soft, fragile, saggy skin, hernias, and loose joints.

Understanding Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

Dermatosparaxis Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dEDS) is an inherited connective tissue condition caused by defects in a protein called collagen.

Common symptoms include soft, doughy, extremely fragile skin, saggy, redundant skin especially on the face, hernias, and joint hypermobility that ranges from mild to severe. Signs show up in the newborn and infant years.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Very fragile, doughy skin
  • Saggy skin, especially on the face
  • Hernias
  • Very flexible joints
  • Hip dislocation or hip dysplasia
  • Acid reflux

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists, bone and joint specialists, genetic specialists and skin, hair, and nail specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in ADAMTS2 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Ehlers-Danlos Society and Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
autoimmune and inflammatory disease specialists (rheumatologists); Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Ehlers-Danlos Society, Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Ehlers-Danlos Society and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Would genetic testing for the ADAMTS2 gene help our family?
How can I protect fragile skin from injury?
Do hernias need monitoring or surgery?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant
InheritanceAutosomal Recessive
GenesADAMTS2

GARD says changes in the ADAMTS2 gene cause this condition. It is autosomal recessive, meaning a child inherits a changed copy of the gene from each parent.

GeneticSkin

Also known as: deds; dermatosparaxis; dermatosparaxis eds; dermatosparaxis eds (ehlers-danlos syndrome); dermatosparaxis ehlers-danlos syndrome; eds viic

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis typeGARD ID 2089 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type.

Explore the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type blog

Explore research for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

Explore actively recruiting Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper

I can help you find recruiting Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.

Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

Get Signals for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.

HealthStoryfor Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type

Create a living journal that talks back

HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, dermatosparaxis type experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.

Start your journal

Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.