Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous Pemphigoid

Dermatologic,Emergency Medicine

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What is bullous pemphigoid? — Bullous pemphigoid is a skin condition that causes blisters. Blisters are fluid-filled bumps on the skin.
Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is when the body's infection-fighting system attacks healthy tissue instead of infections. Sometimes, bullous pemphigoid happens after people take certain medicines.
This condition happens most often in adults age 60 and older.
What are the symptoms of bullous pemphigoid? — Most commonly, bullous pemphigoid causes large blisters to form on the skin. Most blisters happen on the trunk, arms, legs, armpits, or groin, but blisters can happen all over the body. The blisters can come and go. After a blister pops, you might see an open sore. These sores usually heal without a scar.
People with bullous pemphigoid also often have red, raised areas of skin. The red areas can be under the blisters or in other places. Some people have only the red, raised areas of skin and no blisters. Itching is common.
Some people with bullous pemphigoid also get sores in their mouth. These sores can hurt and can make it hard to eat.
Is there a test for bullous pemphigoid? — Yes. To check whether your symptoms are caused by bullous pemphigoid, your doctor will do a test called a skin biopsy. He or she will remove small samples of tissue from a blister or from the red, raised areas of skin. Then another doctor will do tests on the samples and look at them under a microscope. Your doctor might also order special blood tests.
Is there anything I can do on my own to manage my symptoms? — Yes. You should not pop your blisters unless your doctor tells you to. Also, you should follow your doctor's instructions about how to take care of your sores. That way, your skin is less likely to get infected.
How is bullous pemphigoid treated? — Treatment usually includes 1 or more of the following:
Steroid creams or ointments – These are not the same as the steroids some athletes take illegally. These medicines can reduce inflammation and itching and prevent new blisters from forming.
Steroid pills – Steroid pills can also reduce blisters, inflammation, and itching. Since steroid pills can have side effects, it is important that you take them exactly as prescribed and see your doctor for regular follow-ups.
Other medicines that "calm down" the immune system
Treatment usually lasts 1 to 2 years or longer. Sometimes, symptoms return after treatment.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Mar 30, 2020.
Topic 87300 Version 5.0
Release: 28.2.2 - C28.105
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Blistering Disease,BP,Bullae,Old Pemphigus,Parapemphigus,Pemphigoid,Pemphigus,Senile Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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