BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuBullous pemphigoidBullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by blisters.BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Specifically, the immune system attacks the proteins that attach the top layer of skin (epidermis) to the bottom layer of skin.Autoimmune disorderAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This disorder usually occurs in older persons and is rare in young people. Symptoms come and go. The condition often goes away within 5 years.In some cases, the condition is triggered by a medicine. Symptoms Most people with this disorder have itchy skin that may be severe. In most cases, there are blisters, called bullae.BullaeBullae are large blisters on the skin that are filled with clear fluid. Many different skin conditions can cause bullae to form. They can be caused...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blisters are usually located on the arms, legs, or middle of the body. In rare cases, blisters can form in the mouth. The blisters may break open and form open sores (ulcers). UlcersAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine the skin and ask about the symptoms. They will review your list of medicines.Tests that may be done to help diagnose this condition include:Blood tests Skin biopsy of the blister or the area next to it Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids may be prescribed. They may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. More powerful medicines may be used to help suppress the immune system if steroids do not work, or to allow lower steroid doses to be used.Antibiotics in the tetracycline family may be useful. Niacin (a B complex vitamin) is sometimes given along with tetracycline.NiacinNiacin is a type of B vitamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin. It is not stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover am...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may suggest self-care measures. These may include:Applying anti-inflammatory creams to the skin Using mild soaps and applying moisturizer to the skin after bathing Protecting the affected skin from sun exposure and injury Outlook (Prognosis) Bullous pemphigoid usually responds well to treatment. The medicine can often be stopped after several years. The disease sometimes returns after treatment is stopped. Possible Complications Skin infection is the most common complication.Complications resulting from treatment may also occur, especially from taking corticosteroids. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have: Unexplained blisters on your skin An itchy rash that continues despite home treatmentOpen ReferencesReferencesBilgic A, Murrell DF. Bullous pemphigoid. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 32.Dinulos JGH. Vesicular and bullous diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTogBullous pemphigoid - close-up of tense blisters - illustration Pemphigus is classified as one of the blistering diseases. These is a close-up picture of typical lesions. Very small blisters are called vesicles. Larger blisters, like these, are called bullae.Bullous pemphigoid - close-up of tense blistersillustrationBullous pemphigoid - close-up of tense blisters - illustration Pemphigus is classified as one of the blistering diseases. These is a close-up picture of typical lesions. Very small blisters are called vesicles. Larger blisters, like these, are called bullae.Bullous pemphigoid - close-up of tense blistersillustrationRelated Information Vesicles(Symptoms) Review Date: 5/31/2023 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. 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Bullous pemphigoidBullous pemphigoid is a skin disorder characterized by blisters.BlistersA vesicle is a small fluid-filled blister on the skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Specifically, the immune system attacks the proteins that attach the top layer of skin (epidermis) to the bottom layer of skin.Autoimmune disorderAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This disorder usually occurs in older persons and is rare in young people. Symptoms come and go. The condition often goes away within 5 years.In some cases, the condition is triggered by a medicine. Symptoms Most people with this disorder have itchy skin that may be severe. In most cases, there are blisters, called bullae.BullaeBullae are large blisters on the skin that are filled with clear fluid. Many different skin conditions can cause bullae to form. They can be caused...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blisters are usually located on the arms, legs, or middle of the body. In rare cases, blisters can form in the mouth. The blisters may break open and form open sores (ulcers). UlcersAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine the skin and ask about the symptoms. They will review your list of medicines.Tests that may be done to help diagnose this condition include:Blood tests Skin biopsy of the blister or the area next to it Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids may be prescribed. They may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin. More powerful medicines may be used to help suppress the immune system if steroids do not work, or to allow lower steroid doses to be used.Antibiotics in the tetracycline family may be useful. Niacin (a B complex vitamin) is sometimes given along with tetracycline.NiacinNiacin is a type of B vitamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin. It is not stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover am...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may suggest self-care measures. These may include:Applying anti-inflammatory creams to the skin Using mild soaps and applying moisturizer to the skin after bathing Protecting the affected skin from sun exposure and injury Outlook (Prognosis) Bullous pemphigoid usually responds well to treatment. The medicine can often be stopped after several years. The disease sometimes returns after treatment is stopped. Possible Complications Skin infection is the most common complication.Complications resulting from treatment may also occur, especially from taking corticosteroids. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have: Unexplained blisters on your skin An itchy rash that continues despite home treatmentOpen ReferencesReferencesBilgic A, Murrell DF. Bullous pemphigoid. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell DF, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 32.Dinulos JGH. Vesicular and bullous diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.