What Is Collagen?
The protein that holds your body together
What Is Collagen?
Collagen (KOL-uh-jin) is a protein in the body. Different types of collagen are in many body parts, including:
- •Hair
- •Skin
- •Nails
- •Bones
- •Ligaments
- •Tendons
- •Cartilage
- •Blood vessels
- •Intestines
What Does Collagen Do?
Collagen has many different roles in the body. It:
Helps Make Bones Strong
Collagen provides structural support to bones, giving them strength and helping them maintain their shape.
Lets the Skin and Tendons Stretch
Collagen provides elasticity and flexibility, allowing your skin and connective tissues to move and stretch without tearing.
Helps With Healing After an Injury
When you get hurt, collagen plays a crucial role in repairing damaged tissue and helping wounds heal properly.
What Are the Different Kinds of Collagen?
Our bodies have many different kinds of collagen. Most of it is type I collagen, found in bones and tendons. But we also have:
Type I Collagen
Found in: Bones and tendons
This is the most abundant type of collagen in the body
Type II Collagen
Found in: Cartilage (the bendable material in the nose, ears, and joints)
Type III Collagen
Found in: Skin, the lining of blood vessels, and the intestines
While there are actually more than 25 types of collagen in the human body, these three are the most common and important ones.
What Problems Can Happen With Collagen?
Depending on which type of collagen is affected, problems can include:
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Also called brittle bone disease
Caused by a problem with type I collagen. This condition makes bones break easily, sometimes with little or no apparent cause.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Leads to stretchy skin and joints
Often caused by a problem with type IV collagen. This condition affects connective tissues, making skin unusually elastic and joints very flexible.
Symptoms Can Vary
The symptoms of problems with collagen can vary greatly. Some people have very mild symptoms, while others have moderate or more severe symptoms.
How Do Problems With Collagen Happen?
Most kids with a collagen problem have it because they inherited a gene from one or both of their parents.
But sometimes it happens in a child without a family history. These are called spontaneous or "de novo" mutations.
👨👩👧👦 Inherited
Most collagen disorders are passed down from parents through genes
✨ Spontaneous
Sometimes occurs without family history due to new genetic changes
What Else Should I Know?
Collagen has many important roles in the body. A child who has a collagen problem may need medical care throughout life.
To help your child get the best care possible:
Find out all you can
Learn about your child's medical condition from reliable sources and healthcare providers
Talk about the problem
If your child is old enough, talk about the problem. Use simple words and let your child ask questions. Be positive, but honest.
Take your child to all medical visits
Regular checkups are important for monitoring your child's condition and catching any issues early
Follow treatment recommendations
Follow the health care provider's treatment recommendations carefully to help your child thrive
Remember
With proper care and support, many children with collagen disorders can lead full, active lives. Working closely with your healthcare team is key to managing the condition effectively.
🔑 Key Facts About Collagen
Essential Protein
Collagen is found throughout the body in hair, skin, nails, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, and more
Multiple Functions
Strengthens bones, provides elasticity to skin and tendons, and helps healing
Different Types
Type I (bones/tendons), Type II (cartilage), Type III (skin/blood vessels/intestines)
Genetic Conditions
Problems with collagen are usually inherited but can occur spontaneously