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Pemphigoid
Medical Questions » Pemphigoid
| Name: Pemphigoid |
| Also known as: Bullous Pemphigoid |
| An uncommon but serious skin disease that usually affects elderly women. |
Causes of Pemphigoid
Auto-immune disease in which there is an inappropriate immune reaction within the body that causes the skin to be rejected in the same way as a transplanted kidney is rejected by the body. The actual cause of the autoimmune reaction is unknown. |
Symptoms of Pemphigoid
Red, scaling, itchy patches, which after a few days break down into large, fluid-filled blisters on widespread areas of the body. These huge, soft bubbles develop on the arms and legs initially, but soon spread to the trunk. The face and head are rarely affected. |
Tests for Pemphigoid
Diagnosis confirmed by a skin biopsy (taking a sample of the affected skin, and examining it under a microscope). |
Treatment for Pemphigoid
High doses of prednisone, a steroid that reduces the immune response and allows the skin to repair itself. Once the disease is under control, the dosage is slowly reduced over a period of many months, but some patients
need to remain on a low dose for years. Cytotoxic drugs may also be used.
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Complications of Pemphigoid of its treatment
Severe fluid loss from the body through the blisters may cause dehydration and heart rhythm irregularities. |
Likely Outcome of Pemphigoid
Without treatment, pemphigoid is fatal in one third of patients. With treatment, deaths are very rare, and one third of patients will require no treatment after two years. |
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