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Pemphigus

Low urgency
-Moderately severe

A rare autoimmune disease characterized by blisters and erosions on the skin.

The cause that triggers this attack by our own immune system is generally unknown.

Depending on the symptoms manifested, blisters, itching or pain in the skin, different types of pemphigus are differentiated: Vulgar, Foliaceous, Vegetative, IgA or Paraneoplastic.

Diagnosis is made by skin biopsy with direct immunofluorescence tests.

Treatment includes corticosteroids and sometimes other immunosuppressive therapies.

Early diagnosis and treatment improve the prognosis and course of the disease.

Bibliographic references
  1. McCuin JB, Hanlon T, Mutasim DF. Autoimmune bullous diseases: diagnosis and management. Dermatol Nurs. 2006 Feb;18(1):20-5.
  2. Bermejo-Fenoll A, López-Jornet P. Diagnóstico de las enfermedades vesiculares y ampollares de la mucosa bucal: desórdenes de la cohesión intraepitelial y de la unión epitelioconectiva. Med Oral 1996;1:24-43.
  3. Weinberg MA, Insler MS, Campen RB. Mucocutaneous features of autoinmune blistering diseases. Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1997;84:517-34.
  4. Bagán JV. Enfermedades ampollares de la cavidad oral (I): pénfigos. En: Bagán JV, Ceballos A, Bermejo A, Aguirre JM, Peñarrocha M, eds. Medicina Oral. Barcelona: Masson,1995:220-6.
  5. Bianciotto C, Herreras Cantalapiedra JM, Alvarez MA, Méndez Díaz Mc. Conjunctival blistering associated with Pemphigus Vulgaris: Report of a case. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2005 Jun;80(6):365-8.
  6. Femiano F. Seeking approval: present and future therapies for pemphigus vulgaris. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2008 May;9(5):497-504. Review.
  7. Incidence of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris. BMJ. 2008 Jul 9;337:a209.
Author
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Blisters larger than 0.5 cm / 0.2 inches

    Upper skin layers come off when rubbed

    Blisters on the scalp

    Blisters that flake off

    Blisters develop into eschars

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever (temperature higher than 100.4 ºF)
Reddish sores that itch, break open and ooze clear fluid or pus
Painful and reddened ulcer in affected area

Self-care

Eat a balanced diet: increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and white meats, and reduce consumption of fatty and fried foods.
Maintain a fluid intake of 6 - 8 cups per day.
Avoid spicy foods.
Avoid excessive sun exposure.
Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Apply a cream or ointment that contains a corticosteroid.
Consult with your primary care physician regarding the prescription of oral corticosteroids.
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