Bullous pemphigoid: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition of bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare skin disease that attacks the immune system. The disease begins with a reddish rash and urticaria then changes to large, fluid-filled sponges over the course of a few weeks or months.

The fluid inside is usually clear, but can turn a little cloudy or reddish filled with blood.

Flexibility usually appears in areas of skin folds such as the armpits, upper thighs, and lower abdomen. In severe cases, the blister may also cover a large portion of the skin, including the inside of the mouth.

This type of skin disease can develop into a chronic condition if left untreated or treated after recovery.

Hence, it is important to get proper treatment if you develop this disease.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, bullous pemphigoid usually goes away on its own within a few months, but it may take up to five years to complete.

Treatments usually help heal the blister and reduce itching.

How common is bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid is the most common disease in people over 60 years of age and is especially dangerous if the patient has a poor health condition.

You can limit your chances of getting the disease by reducing your risk factors. Please consult your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms of bullous pemphigoid

Some patients do not show any symptoms or have only mild redness and irritation without blisters. Even so, signs and symptoms of bullous pemphigoid are:

• itchy redness, and burning in several areas of the skin,
• appears elastic in the armpits, hands, stomach, inner thighs and legs,
• symptoms such as boils appearing in the mouth in some patients, boils may break and form ulcers or open sores,
• areas of skin around bouncy that are reddish in color or darker than the original skin color, as well
• a skin rash similar to eczema (atopic dermatitis).

There may be signs or symptoms of bullous pemphigoid not listed above. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, please consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor for bullous pemphigoid?

Immediately see a doctor if you start experiencing the symptoms above. This is important to do at the onset of the disease so that healing is easier.

In addition, you also have to be aware of your body condition. If there are other symptoms that were not mentioned or if you are concerned about a particular symptom, discuss it with your doctor to find the best solution.

Causes and risk factors for bullous pemphigoid

What causes bullous pemphigoid?

Until now, the cause of bullous pemphigoid is not clear. However, it may be related to immune system disorders, effects caused by other diseases, or due to side effects of drugs.

When a person has bullous pemphigoid, his immune system will produce antibodies that fight the epidermis and skin dermis tissue. These antibodies will activate and cause inflammation and cause the skin to blister and itch.

Other possible causes of bullous pemphigoid are as follows.

• Certain medications. The use of several drugs at once can trigger bullous pemphigoid, including penicillin, etanercept (Enbrel), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and furosemide (Lasix).
• Light therapy (phototherapy) and radiation. The use of UV light therapy to treat certain skin diseases can trigger bullous pemphigoid, such as radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
• Medical conditions. Disorders that can trigger bullous pemphigoid, including psoriasis, lichen planus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis.

What increases your risk of developing bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid usually occurs in those aged over 60 years, because the older a person is, the risk of developing the disease will increase.

If you don't have the risk factors above, it doesn't mean you won't get the disease.

The risk factors for a disease are general in nature and are used for reference only. Please consult a dermatologist for more details.

Diagnosis and treatment

What tests are commonly done to diagnose this condition?

Of course, the doctor will do a physical examination first by looking at what conditions or symptoms are visible on the skin.

After that, in order to establish the diagnosis, the doctor takes a sample of the affected skin for observation in the laboratory. Sometimes, the doctor will also take a blood sample.

If the disease is certain, you will be given drugs that must be used according to the rules given.

What are the treatment options for bullous pemphigoid?

The drugs that are usually given to treat this condition are anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids.

If the case is mild, the patient will be given corticosteroid drugs. This drug works to treat itching and swelling of the skin. Often the drug that is given is a prednisone drug in pill form.

Unfortunately, these pills cannot be used in the long term because they can cause side effects in the form of an increased risk of weak bones, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and infections.

Alternatively, you can use topical corticosteroid drugs that have fewer side effects.

The doctor may also give you drugs that boost the immune system. Some of the drug options include azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil.

Quoted from the UK public health service website, the NHS, treatments can help your skin heal, stop new patches or blisters from appearing, and reduce the risk of your skin becoming infected.

Your skin will eventually heal without scarring, but it may look darker than before or there is a risk of scarring.

Home remedies

Here are some lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with bullous pemphigoid.

• Take the medicine as stated in the prescription. You should also tell your doctor about all medicines you use, including any prescribed medicines.
• Eat nutritious food. Following a soft drink diet can help you reduce pain when eating or swallowing.
• Diligent cleaning the body, especially the skin to prevent infection.
• Do check while you are in the recovery process. Look for signs of infection such as redness, dirty discharge, pain, swelling or swelling in the area around the lymph nodes and fever.
• Wash clothes, towels and fabrics regularly when exposed to bullous liquid, or bullosa breaks / has an infection.
• Call your doctor right away if you experience infection, severe swelling of the skin, or other new symptoms.
• Immediately visit the nearest clinic if you have fever, lethargy, feeling confused or weak.

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to find the best solution for you.