Bullous Pemphigoid
What is it?
Bullous pemphigoid is a disease that causes blistering
of the skin. It is a chronic condition, which means
symptoms can come and go over a long period of time.
Who gets it?
Bullous pemphigoid is more common in the elderly.
What causes it?
Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease, which
means something causes the immune system to attack healthy
tissues in the body, in this case the skin. The immune
system normally releases disease-fighting cells, called
antibodies, to attack foreign invaders, such as
infections.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of bullous pemphigoid include hard, tight
blisters on the skin. The skin around the blisters may
appear normal, but is often red and swollen. Itching is
common. In the early stages of this disease, the skin may
be itchy without any other symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose bullous pemphigoid, your doctor will take a
skin sample, called a biopsy, and examine it under a
microscope. He or she will check for the presence of
certain antibodies that indicate this disease.
What is the treatment?
Treatment of bullous pemphigoid involves taking a
corticosteroid drug, such as prednisone, orally each day.
A corticosteroid suppresses the immune system, which
relieves the inflammation. The dose starts out high, but
is then tapered to a lower, maintenance dose. Your doctor
may also prescribe other drugs, such as tetracycline,
nicotinamide, topical corticosteroids, sulfapyridine,
erythromycin, and dapsone, which also have anti-
inflammatory effects.
Self-care tips
There is currently no known way to prevent bullous
pemphigoid. If you have this disease, it is important to
follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment to
reduce pain, itching, and inflammation. Do not stop taking
a corticosteroid drug suddenly. These types of drugs must
be tapered off slowly under a doctor’s supervision.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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