Affected Populations
Bullous Pemphigoid a disorder that affecting males and females in older
age.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Bullous
Pemphigoid.
Pemphigus is, sometimes life-threatening disease in which blisters break out on the skin, the lining of the mouth, the vagina,
the thin covering of the penis and other mucous membranes (thin moist layers
that line the body's internal surfaces). The location and type of blister may
vary according to the type of Pemphigus. If left untreated, Pemphigus can be a
serious illness.
Symptoms of this disorder include the appearance of soft
blisters in the outer layers of the skin especially on the neck, scalp, mouth,
the underarm and groin areas.
Erythema Multiforme is an allergenic, inflammatory skin disorder has,lesions
on the skin The early symptoms include red, elevated spots (erythematous macules
or papules) on the skin that may have fluid filled centers and that
eventually grow into larger blisters. Affected areas generally include the
hands, forearms, feet, and mouth, nose, and genitals.
The skin lesions and blisters generally appear on both sides of the body and
tend to heal in approximately 2 to 6 weeks, there is fever, joint pain,
cough, and a sore throat.
For altrenative treatment of this disorder eat a bitter melon three times
a day or use its capsules for full recovery.
Benign Mucosal Pemphigoid is rare chronic disease characterized by
blistering and scarring of the mucous membranes particularly in the mouth and
membranes that surround the eyes (conjunctiva). Initial symptoms include
redness and inflammation of these areas and scarring may occur on the
membranes of the eyes. Blisters may also develop in the mucous membranes of
the pharynx, esophagus, nose, urethra and/or vulva. (For more information on
this disorder, choose "Benign Mucosal Pemphigoid" as your search term on the
Rare Disease Database.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a rare chronic skin disorder that is characterized
by groups of severely itching blisters and elevated lesions. This disorder is
often associated with a sensitivity to foods that contain gluten
(gluten-sensitive enteropathy). The onset is generally slow in adults;
children may also be affected. Small, discrete blisters and itchy smooth
skin lesions that look like hives appear on the head, elbows, knees, lower
back, and/or buttocks. Itching and burning may be almost intolerable, and
the need to scratch may be overwhelming.
Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis (bullous type) is a rare hereditary skin disorder
characterized by the overgrowth of skin (hyperkeratosis) and abnormal redness
of the skin (erythroderma). The symptoms of this disorder are present at birth
and may range from mild to severe. The skin may appear to have warts or
blisters, and to be thick over most of the body, particularly in the skin
creases over joints. Epidermolytic
Epidermolysis Bullosa refers to a group of rare skin diseases characterized by
fragile skin, blisters, and small fluid-filled lesions that develop following
minor trauma to the skin. The mucous membranes are also involved in some forms
of Epidermolysis Bullosa. Healing may be impaired. Blisters may leave multiple
scars and/or damage the underlying muscle tissue. Most types of Epidermolysis
Bullosa are inherited, and they usually first appear during childhood.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquista a autoimmune disorder of the skin that
typically affects middle-aged and elderly people. Trauma to the skin can cause
blisters on the elbows, knees, pelvis, buttocks or scalp. Increased
levels of IgG (an immunoglobulin) are usually found around the blisters. After
the blisters heal, scars may remain.
Standard Therapies
Corticosteroid are given to people with Bullous Pemphigoid to help reduce the
number of blisters. . Corticosteroid drugs (usually prednisone) can be discontinued in
approximately 50 percent of cases of Bullous Pemphigoid because the patients
eventually go into remission. The remainder of patients may require
maintenance therapy. Because many people with Bullous Pemphigoid are elderly,
decisions about whether to treat with drugs that alter the immune system (such
as corticosteroids) must be individualized because it may make fragile
patients more susceptible to infections.Investigational Therapies
Immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and methotrexate, have been
used on an experimental basis in combination with corticosteroid drugs to
treat Bullous Pemphigoid.
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) may be of potential benefit for treating a number of
autoimmune skin diseases including Pemphigus, Bullous Pemphigoid, Posterior
Uveitis, and Behcet's Syndrome. However, careful monitoring by a physician of
people taking cyclosporine is necessary to guard against possible toxic side
effects. Relapses of Bullous Pemphigoid can occur when the drug therapy is
stopped. More research is needed before cyclosporine can be recommended as a
treatment for all but the most severe cases of Bullous Pemphigoid.
IVIg is very effective in this condition, please see the
IVIg page.
Clinical trials are underway to study possible new therapies for Bullous
Pemphigoid. Interested persons may wish to have their physician
cont-----------------------------------------
Alternative therapies for Pemphigious pemphigoid recommendation form
CIDPUSA.
Doxycycline has been used to completely end this disease in two
weeks. Vitamins b-complex and niacin have helped many people.
In supplements Turmeric has been used to stop inflammation and reverse
the disease process. Read the anti-inflammatory diet in the diet page of cidpusa.
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W.R. Gammon, M.D.
Dept. of Dermatology
University of North Carolina
137 NC Memorial Hospital
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
