Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune disease that causes blisters. Healthy skin and mucous membrane cells are the target of this disorder’s immune system attack.
Pemphigus expressing symptom is readily rupturing blisters, which result in open sores. These ruptured skin blisters may ooze or get infected. This condition is not contagious nor hereditary, but usually chronic.
Pemphigus is typed by where your blisters form. Here’s a blurb of highlights on each type.
Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common type, it causes mouth blisters that can be painful. Followed by a skin blister breakout.
Pemphigus foliaceus frequently starts with itchy, painless blisters on your face and scalp, followed by chest and back. It does not cause mouth blisters.
Pemphigus vegetans causes thick sores in the groin and under the arms area.
IgA pemphigus is least harmful type, causes similar looking blisters to pemphigus foliaceus and can also cause small pussy bumps.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus is rare, occurs with some types of cancer, mainly lymphoma or leukemia. In some cases these pemphigus blisters are the first sign of cancer. Can lead to severe lung problems causing dyspnea and even death.
Pemphigoid causes deep blisters that are not easily broken, may be fatal.
Ocassionally, pemphigus blisters are a side effect of medication, such as blood pressure drugs or chelating agents. Stop taking the drug and pemphigus will likely disappear.
What triggers pemphigus is not known, yet it occurs most often in older Middle Eastern or Jewish descent folks. Other risk factors include:
- living in Brazilian rain forests
- thymoma ~ tumor of your thymus
- another autoimmune condition, especially myasthenia gravis which causes muscle weakness & fatigue
Skin infection and sepsis are possible pemphigus complications. A systemic infection can be fatal.
Pemphigus is best controlled by early treatment, before it spreads all over. High doses of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, is generally required to get your pemphigus bridled.
Utilizing corticosteroids in high doses or over extended periods can cause some serious or unpleasant side effects, like:
- moon face
- weight gain
- osteoporosis
- mood swings
- raised blood sugar ~ diabetes
- infection risk caused by suppressed immune system
To help minimize the health effects of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibiotics and antifungals may be prescribed as well. Also, anesthetic lozenges may be suggested to help reduce mouth blister pain.
Severe cases of pemphigus may require hospitalization, where treatment is similar to that used for severe burns.
For some, it years before their blistering sores subside. Unfortunately, it’s the inside your mouth ones that are slowest to heal.
