Are there different types of pemphigoid?

There are several types of pemphigus, but the two main ones are: Pemphigus vulgaris, which normally affects the skin and mucous membranes such as the inside of the mouth. Pemphigus foliaceus, which only affects the skin.

What type of disease is bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare skin condition that mainly affects older people. It usually starts with an itchy, raised rash. As the condition develops, large blisters can form on the skin. It may last a few years and sometimes causes serious problems, but treatment can help manage the condition in most cases.

What are the differential diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid?

As BP may have a polymorphic presentation with non-bullous manifestations and blisters, a wide range of differential diagnosis should be considered: pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, bullous lupus erythematosus, eczema, urticaria, prurigo, …

What is the difference between pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid?

Pemphigus is characterized by shallow ulcers or fragile blisters that break open quickly. Pemphigoid presents with stronger or “tense” blisters that don’t open easily. Those with pemphigoid are also more likely to have hot, red and itchy hive spots.

What is the major risk factor for bullous pemphigoid?

Contributing factors

Bullous pemphigoid usually appears randomly with no clear factors contributing to the onset of disease. Some cases may be triggered by: Medications. Prescription drugs that may cause bullous pemphigoid include etanercept (Enbrel), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), furosemide (Lasix) and penicillin.

What is the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a blistering skin disease characterized by an autoimmune response to 2 hemidesmosomal proteins within the dermal-epidermal junction, designated BP180 and BP230.

What is the blood test for bullous pemphigoid?

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: The ELISA technique analyzes the bullous pemphigoid antigen-specific IgG autoantibodies in the patients’ sera by using various lengths of recombinant proteins of the BPAg1 or BPAg2 antigens. In several reports, ELISA has been demonstrated to be highly sensitive and specific.

Which is more serious bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris?

Prognosis and Patient Counseling. Pemphigus is a chronic and potentially fatal disease and patients should be counseled accordingly. Bullous pemphigoid is usually less severe and can resolve in 1 – 2 years.

How is pemphigoid diagnosed?

Advertisement
  1. A skin biopsy. In this test, a piece of tissue from a blister is removed and examined under a microscope.
  2. Blood tests. One purpose of these tests is to detect and identify antibodies in your blood that are known to be present with pemphigus.
  3. An endoscopy.

Is bullous pemphigoid an autoimmune disease?

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Specifically, the immune system attacks the proteins that attach the top layer of skin (epidermis) to the bottom layer of skin.

What autoimmune disease causes blisters?

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks the skin and causes blistering. People develop large, itchy blisters with areas of inflamed skin. Doctors can diagnose bullous pemphigoid by examining skin samples under a microscope and checking for certain antibody deposits.

Can bullous pemphigoid be cured?

Pemphigoid cannot be cured, but treatments are usually very successful at relieving symptoms. Corticosteroids, either in pill or topical form, will likely be the first treatment your doctor prescribes. These medications reduce inflammation and can help to heal the blisters and relieve itching.

What is the best treatment for bullous pemphigoid?

Topical corticosteroids, systemic corticosteroids, and doxycycline are the mainstays of initial treatment for bullous pemphigoid. Additional immunomodulatory therapies are often added to minimize the adverse effects of chronic corticosteroid therapy or to augment improvement in the disease.

Why is bullous pemphigoid fatal?

Bullous pemphigoid may be fatal, particularly in patients who are debilitated. The proximal causes of death are infection with sepsis and adverse events associated with treatment.

What drugs can cause pemphigus?

Drugs that cause pemphigus include: Thiol drugs, including penicillamine, captopril. Antibiotics: penicillins, cephalosporins, vancomycin. Antihypertensive drugs: other angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors such as cilazapril, lisinopril, enalapril.

How long does it take for bullous pemphigoid to heal?

Affected areas generally include the hands, forearms, feet, and/or mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and/or genitals. The skin lesions and blisters caused by erythema multiforme generally appear on both sides of the body and tend to heal in approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

What is the blood test for bullous pemphigoid?

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: The ELISA technique analyzes the bullous pemphigoid antigen-specific IgG autoantibodies in the patients’ sera by using various lengths of recombinant proteins of the BPAg1 or BPAg2 antigens. In several reports, ELISA has been demonstrated to be highly sensitive and specific.

Is there a blood test for pemphigoid?

Serum Testing. Recommended initial serum testing for pemphigoid involves panel testing for epithelial skin antibodies. Serum antibody profiles and titers correlate with pemphigoid disease manifestations and activity.

What happens if pemphigoid is left untreated?

Infection that spreads to your bloodstream (sepsis) Malnutrition, because painful mouth sores make it difficult to eat. Medication side effects, such as high blood pressure and infection. Death, if certain types of pemphigus are left untreated.

How is pemphigoid diagnosed?

Advertisement
  1. A skin biopsy. In this test, a piece of tissue from a blister is removed and examined under a microscope.
  2. Blood tests. One purpose of these tests is to detect and identify antibodies in your blood that are known to be present with pemphigus.
  3. An endoscopy.

What foods to avoid if you have bullous pemphigoid?

You want to avoid hard foods like chips, chunky peanut butter, nuts, crisp vegetables like raw carrots, and fruit. Other foods that can cause new mouth sores include spicy foods, steaming-hot foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.

What antibodies are present in bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disease characterized by subepidermal blisters and associated with linear deposits of C3 and IgG at the epidermal basement membrane zone. Autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid are directed against two hemidesmosomal antigens, BP230 and BP180/type XVII collagen [87].

Does stress cause pemphigoid?

For those of you who have any one of the pemphigus/pemphigoid (P/P) related skin diseases, stress is the number one factor in flare-ups occurring.