Bullous Pemphigoid Information and Treatment
Bullous pemphigoid is a blistering skin disease which usually affects middle aged or elderly persons. It is an immunobullous disease, i.e. the blisters are due an immune reaction within the skin. Bullous pemphigoid is diagnosed based on the results of a skin biopsy, which can detect the abnormal antibodies deposited in the basement membrane layer of skin. Bullous pemphigoid-like condition can sometimes be associated with other illnesses, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) and cancer. The cause of bullous pemphigoid is unknown, but it may be related to a disorder of the immune system. Bullous pemphigoid typically occurs in older adults. The condition is seldom life- threatening, but the medications used to treat bullous pemphigoid can cause complications. Without treatment, bullous pemphigoid may persist, with periods of remission and flare-ups, for many years.
Bullous pemphigoid , also referred to as BP , is a chronic autoimmune skin disease , involving the formation of blisters below the surface of the skin and antibodies against collagen. The antigen of this autoimmune disease is localized to the hemidesmosome . Most cases of the disease are in older people but the disease can affect younger people, even babies. Bullous pemphigoid can be chronic, mild and not affect the general health or it can be severe and compromise the health of the sufferer. Diagnosis is by skin biopsy. Corticosteroids are used initially. Most patients require long-term maintenance therapy, for which a variety of drugs can be used. In bullous pemphigoid, antibodies are directed against the basement membrane zone of the epidermis, causing separation between the epidermis and dermis. Bullous pemphigoid must be distinguished from pemphigus a much more serious disease.
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