Hyperelastic skin

Hyperelastic skin is skin that can be stretched beyond what is considered normal. The skin returns to normal after it is stretched.

Considerations

Hyperelasticity occurs when there is a problem with how the body makes collagen or elastin fibers. These are types of proteins that makes up much of the body's tissue.

Causes

Causes has been expanded.

Hyperelastic skin is most often seen in people who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. People with this disorder have very elastic skin. They also have joints that can be bent more than is normally possible. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as rubber men or women.

Other conditions that may cause skin that is easily stretched include:

Marfan syndrome (genetic disorder of human connective tissue)
Osteogenesis imperfecta (congenital bone disorder characterized by brittle bones)
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (rare genetic disorder that causes fragmentation and mineralization of elastic fibers in some tissues)
Subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma (type of lymph system cancer that involves the skin)
Sun-related changes of older skin

Home Care

You need to take special steps to avoid skin damage when you have this condition because your skin is more delicate than normal. You are more likely to get cuts and scrapes, and scars may stretch and become more visible.

Talk to your health care provider about what you can do for this problem. Get skin check-ups often.

If you need surgery, discuss with your provider how the wound will be dressed and cared for after the procedure.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

Your skin appears to be very stretchy
Your child appears to have delicate skin

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will do a physical exam to assess your skin, bones, muscles, and joints.

Questions your provider might ask about you or your child are:

Did the skin appear abnormal at birth, or did this develop over time?
Is there a history of the skin becoming damaged easily, or being slow to heal?
Have you or any member of your family been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?
What other symptoms are present?

Genetic counseling may be helpful to determine if you have an inherited disorder.

Alternative Names

India rubber skin

Images

Ehlers-Danlos, hyperelasticity of the skin

References

Islam MP, Roach ES. Neurocutaneous syndromes. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 99.

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Abnormalities of dermal fibrous and elastic tissue. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 25.

Review Date 11/30/2022

Updated by: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.