Bullous pemphigoid is caused by a problem with the immune system (the body’s defence against infection). Instead of attacking germs, it attacks and damages the skin. It’s not known why this happens. Sometimes it’s been linked to skin damage (such as sunburn) or taking certain medicines.
How do you treat bullous pemphigoid?
If you have bullous pemphigoid, you can help take care of your condition with the following self-care strategies:
- Wound care. Follow your doctor’s advice for daily care of blisters.
- Limit activities if needed. …
- Avoid sun exposure. …
- Dress in loosefitting cotton clothes. …
- Watch what you eat.
Is bullous pemphigoid an autoimmune disease?
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare, autoimmune, chronic skin disorder characterized by blistering, urticarial lesions (hives) and itching. Less commonly these blisters can involve the mucous membranes including the eyes, oral mucosa, esophagus and genital mucosa.
What foods trigger bullous pemphigoid?
The lesions may flare in patients with oral disease after eating hard and crunchy foods, such as chips, raw fruits, and vegetables.
What medications trigger bullous pemphigoid?
Prescription drugs that may cause bullous pemphigoid include etanercept (Enbrel), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), furosemide (Lasix) and penicillin. Light and radiation. Ultraviolet light therapy to treat certain skin conditions may trigger bullous pemphigoid, as can radiation therapy to treat cancer.
Can pemphigoid be caused by stress?
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. The mind-body connection is very strong and stress encourages the antibodies to act up and give you more blisters.
How long do bullous pemphigoid blisters last?
How does bullous pemphigoid progress? If untreated, the blisters and raw areas of skin can cause much discomfort. There is a danger of serious infection occurring on raw areas of skin. Bullous pemphigoid commonly lasts 1-5 years and then often eases or goes away.
Can you shower with bullous pemphigoid?
No, but as a patient with pemphigus or pemphigoid it is recommended that you be more aware of any activity that may cause trauma to your skin tissue. If you have to ask, then you probably already have the answer and you should avoid it and if you are not sureAsk a Coach!
Does pemphigoid make you tired?
Signs and symptoms can also show up quickly. Blisters can appear suddenly and spread. Widespread pemphigus can be life threatening. It can turn an otherwise healthy person into one who is extremely sick, incredibly tired, and in pain.
Is pemphigoid curable?
There’s currently no cure for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), but treatment can help keep the symptoms under control. The main aim of treatment is to heal the blisters and prevent new ones forming. Steroid medication (corticosteroids) plus another immunosuppressant medication are usually recommended.
Does diet affect bullous pemphigoid?
Some people with bullous pemphigoid note worsening of their symptoms with a diet of onions, garlic or leeks. Diet also may help with side effects of the medication, especially the weight gain and elevated sugar levels that often accompany steroid treatment.
Can pemphigoid be 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 foods should I avoid with bullous pemphigoid?
Foods that patients have reported to be bothersome (you may want to talk with your doctor about avoiding these):
- Citrus.
- Acidic Fruits.
- Bagels.
- Garlic.
- Potato Chips.
- Barbeque/cocktail sauces.
- Horseradish.
- Relishes.
Is bullous pemphigoid a disability?
Bullous Diseases Are Included in the Social Security Administration’s Listing of Impairments. If you have a bullous disease and you meet the requirements in Section 8.03 in the Listing of Impairments, you will qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
What is the difference between pemphigus and pemphigoid?
Pemphigus affects the outer of the skin (epidermis) and causes lesions and blisters that are easily ruptured. Pemphigoid affects a lower layer of the skin, between the epidermis and the dermis, creating tense blisters that do not break easily.
Can aspirin cause bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic, most frequent acquired autoimmune blistering skin disease. Aspirin though notorious for causing allergic reactions is not known to usually induce bullous pemphigoid.
Can metformin cause bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid is a polymorphic autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease seen in elderly individuals. Exact etiology of this autoimmune process is not known. Induced bullous pemphigoid has been associated with several drugs but metformin is not one of them.
Does diabetes cause bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of autoantibodies against two antigens (BPAG1 and 2) and can be induced by drugs (1,2). Recently, the development of BP was reported in diabetic patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (gliptins) plus metformin (3).
What happens if pemphigoid is left untreated?
The most common sites affected are the mouth and eyes. The rash and blistering may begin in one of these areas and spread to the others if left untreated. If it’s left untreated in the eyes, it may cause scarring, which in turn may lead to blindness.
What is the major risk factor for bullous pemphigoid?
Thus, risk factors for BP include neurological disorders, particularly dementia and Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric disorders (unipolar and bipolar disorders), bedridden condition, and chronic use of several drugs.
Which is worse pemphigus and pemphigoid?
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 serious is bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid usually goes away within 5 years, and generally responds well to treatment. However, blisters that rupture and become infected can lead to a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
Can bullous pemphigoid affect the eyes?
Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a group of rare chronic autoimmune disorders characterized by blistering lesions that primarily affect the various mucous membranes of the body. The mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes are most often affected.
How does pemphigoid affect the eyes?
Ocular Citatrical Pemphigoid/Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid The inflammatory lesions on the ocular surface may result in scarring, loss of tear film, adhesions of the lids to the eyeball, corneal ulcers, and perforation. The frequent scarring that often occurs in this condition can lead to severe vision loss.
What can you eat when you have pemphigus?
No dietary restrictions are needed, but patients with oral disease may benefit from avoiding certain foods (eg, spicy foods, tomatoes, orange juice) and hard foods that may traumatize the oral epithelium mechanically (eg, nuts, chips, hard vegetables and fruit).
How does pemphigus start?
Pemphigus vulgaris occurs when the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies against proteins in healthy skin and mucous membranes. The antibodies break down the bonds between the cells, and fluid collects between the layers of the skin. This leads to blisters and erosions on the skin.
Can pemphigus spread from person to person?
Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder. Normally, your immune system produces antibodies to fight off harmful invaders, such viruses and bacteria. But in pemphigus, the body produces antibodies that damage cells of your skin and mucous membranes. Pemphigus isn’t contagious.
How many cases of bullous pemphigoid are there?
While the annual incidence of BP has been estimated to be between 2.4 and 23 cases per million in the general population, it rises exponentially to 190312 cases per million in individuals older than 80 years.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.