Searching for a diagnosis can be frustrating. Often, the diagnosis is delayed because providers don’t realize that ectodermal dysplasia is the cause for your child’s fever, poor hair growth or failure to thrive. There’s then more frustration and delay in finding a diagnosis of the specific type of ectodermal dysplasia. Although it’s very helpful, a…
We congratulate the following individuals who graduated from high school this year. We knew you would enjoy reading about their accomplishments and the bright plans for their future. They don’t let ectodermal dysplasia hold them back from living their best life.
By Dr. Kay Motil Definition Food allergy, or hypersensitivity, refers to an abnormal immunologic reaction to food. Etiology Allergic reactions to food are caused by IgE activation against specific food proteins or non-IgE activation of other chemical processes involving eosinophil or T-lymphocyte blood cells. Clinical Features IgE reactions are rapid in onset, beginning within minutes…
When Ryan was a year-and-a-half old, and was medically stable, Ruth and Keith Geismar started planning the very first fundraising event to benefit the NFED. Ruth wanted to give back to this organization that had embraced her family and Ryan. Now, we are close to wrapping up the NFED’s 15th annual Halloween Bash. We would…
By Alice Geismar Seventeen years ago this November, my husband, Bruce and I were awaiting the birth of our second grandchild. Our first grandson, Jack was almost two and we were enlisted to watch him while Ruth and Keith went to the hospital. It was immediately apparent that Ryan had serious problems. He looked like…
By Marc Steingesser NFED Liaison On Tuesday, September 29th, I represented the NFED on Capitol Hill along with Jeanne Wang and her son, Nollan, and Kristin Matus-Kelso and her daughter, Ally. We joined other rare skin disorder advocates and members from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) to share our concerns and issues with members…
By Maranke Koster, Ph. D. I first became aware of the NFED, and of ectodermal dysplasias, while investigating the role of a gene by the name of p63. The striking similarities between mice lacking a functional p63 gene and individuals affected by ectodermal dysplasias suggested a role for p63 in these disorders. Sure enough, it…
By Jennifer Hagerty Have you ever thought about how you can make a difference to the NFED and the families they serve? As a NFED family liaison, I have thought about it many times. I am a busy mom who is going to school as well as taking care of my two young boys. Needless to…