Pemphigus

Definition 1

A blistering skin disorder. Morphologically it is characterized by acantholysis and intraepidermal blister formation. (NCI Thesaurus)

Definition 2

Group of chronic blistering diseases characterized histologically by acantholysis and blister formation within the epidermis. (NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

More information

Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder. If you have it, your immune system attacks healthy cells in your skin and mouth, causing blisters and sores. No one knows the cause. Pemphigus does not spread from person to person. It does not appear to be inherited. But some people's genes put them more at risk for pemphigus.

Pemphigoid is also an autoimmune skin disease. It leads to deep blisters that do not break easily. Pemphigoid is most common in older adults and may be fatal for older, sick patients.

Doctors diagnose pemphigus with a physical exam, a biopsy, and blood tests. The treatment of pemphigus and pemphigoid is the same: one or more medicines to control symptoms. These may include

• Steroids, which reduce inflammation
• Drugs that suppress the immune system response
• Antibiotics to treat associated infections (NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Also called: Pemphigoid

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