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Bullous Pemphigoid - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is Bullous Pemphigoid ?

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a chronic blistering of the skin. Bullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by large blisters.The blisters are large & can occur anywhere on the skin but are more common on the skin fold areas such as the groin & armpits. Bullous pemphigoid can also involve the mouth. The disease is rarely life-threatening.

What are reason of Bullous Pemphigoid ?

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder, meaning it is caused when the body's immune system malfunctions. The immune system is meant to defend the body against bacteria, viruses, & disease, but instead produces antibodies against healthy tissue, cells & organs. Some patients with Bullous pemphigoid have other autoimmune diseases such diabetes & rheumatoid arthritis. Various other factors have been reported to play a role in triggering Bullous pemhigoid, include drugs (furosemide, penicillin's), mechanical trauma, & physical traumas (burns from radiation, sun or heat). Some other reason are .

• Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease. This means that the cells in the body that normally fight infection or germs attack the skin cells, causing blisters. No one knows why the immune cells start attacking the skin cells.
• Bullous pemphigoid is not contagious; that is, it does not spread from person to person.

What are the symptoms of Bullous Pemphigoid ?

Bullous Pemphigoid have following symptoms -

• Usually the skin is very itchy & large, red welts & hives may appear before or during the formation of blisters.
• Rash may be present.
• Bullous pemphigoid also develop blisters in the mouth or down the throat in the esophagus.
• Skin ulcers may form.

Treatment for Bullous Pemphigoid.

• Strong corticosteroid creams such as Temovate
• Blood tests are usually inconclusive.
• Tetracycline & Minocycline antibiotics are very useful for mild to moderate disease
• Oral steroids (prednisone, prednisolone) are the treatment of choice for severe cases. Regular visits will be needed because the dose must be adjusted frequently, & side effects must be monitored
• Erythromycin
• Nicotinamide

Bullous pemphigoid is a self-limiting disease that is in most cases eventually completely clears up & the treatment can be stopped. Treatment is usually needed for several years, but generally after a few months it is possible to reduce the dose of medications to reasonably low levels.The condition can be controlled with strong medications. Bullous pemphigoid sometimes gets better on its own & can even disappear completely after a few years about 3 to 5 years.

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