TL;DR
- Pemphigus is a chronic autoimmune disease causing blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, typically affecting people aged 30–60.
- Two types:
- Pemphigus vulgaris: Severe, affects oral mucosa, throat, esophagus, and other body areas; causes eating and speech difficulties.
- Pemphigus foliaceus: Milder, affects the trunk, may involve nail and hair changes, without mucosal involvement.
- Causes: Autoimmune attack on keratinocytes; possible triggers include certain medications, sunlight, burns, sulfur-rich foods, other autoimmune diseases, and genetic predisposition.
- Diagnosis: Requires dermatological evaluation, histopathology, and lab detection of Pemphigus antibodies.
- Treatment: Combines topical care (medicated baths/ointments) and systemic therapy (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants). Severe cases may need IV immunoglobulin.
Among the various ailments we face on a daily basis, dermatological diseases are quite a large group. This is quite a specific set of conditions, sometimes difficult to diagnose immediately with a variety of causes. One case that requires contact with a specialist is pemphigus, which comes in two varieties: ordinary and foliaceous. Find out what the symptoms of this disease are, where it comes from and how to cure pemphigus.
What is pemphigus? Symptoms
Pemphigus (from Latin: Pemphigus) is a disease of the skin and mucous membranes that causes blisters. The condition most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 60, although it can also attack at an older age. In the case of pemphigus gender does not matter. Characteristic blisters in the course of the disease appear in the mucous membranes. Sometimes they are also accompanied by nudgements and erythema, especially just before the blister occurs or after it ruptures.
Pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus – types of the condition.
Depending on the area of the body where the characteristic blisters and lesions appear, there are two basic types of pemphigus. These are pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus. In pemphigus vulgaris, blistering lesions appear primarily **in the oral region and are preceded by erosions. This most often causes pain and discomfort, and makes drinking and eating significantly more difficult. In advanced cases, the blisters also occupy the throat and esophagus, and sometimes involve the vocal folds, so that the sufferer has speech problems or even voicelessness. Blisters in pemphigus vulgaris in some cases also occur on the mucous membranes of the anus and genitals, in the groin, under the arms and knees, as well as on the face and head. Pemphigus foliaceus is a type of disease with a milder course. In the course of the disease, mucous membranes are not involved. The lesions appear most often on the trunk and disappear relatively quickly, although they may recur. Sometimes with pemphigus foliaceus there are atrophic changes of the nails and hair. The pemphigus classification also distinguishes much rarer forms of the condition, such as paraneoplastic pemphigus co-occurring with tumors, which can also cause keratitis or scarring conjunctivitis. On the other hand, very rare variants of the disease include ** erythematous pemphigus, seborrheic pemphigus, herpetic pemphigus or bullous pemphigus.
Where does pemphigus come from? Causes of the disease
Both pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus are conditions of a chronic nature and of an autoimmune origin. Thus, they are associated with disorders within the immune system of the affected person. In this case, it involves the body's production of Pemphigus antibodies, which, instead of fighting harmful pathogens, attack keratinocytes, i.e. the body's own cells, which make up the epidermis. The result is inflammation, damage to the skin and mucous membranes and the formation of characteristic blistering lesions. It is also possible to distinguish several factors that promote the occurrence of pemphigus. These include:
- taking medications from the ACE-I group, phenylbutazone, penicillamine and captopril,
- burns,
- intense exposure to sunlight,
- coexistence of other autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis, hepatitis or rheumatoid arthritis,
- consumption of products with a high content of sulfur compounds, mainly leek, garlic and onions.
However, the exact causes of the ascendancy of pemphigus and the autoimmune disorders that cause the disease are not known. It is likely that one of the risk factors is also genetic predisposition.
How to diagnose pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus?
Often, when there are skin lesions on the body, we first decide to apply various home remedies to relieve the discomfort. Meanwhile, it is not always advisable to apply specific ointments or creams, especially those containing strong compounds, to certain disease entities. Therefore, in the event that lesions resembling the symptoms of pemphigus described above appear on the skin, you should immediately go to a specialist in dermatology. Since a multitude of similar conditions are now distinguished, it is sometimes very difficult to diagnose them correctly. Therefore, it is worthwhile to benefit from a visit to an experienced and perfectly qualified dermatologist. Doctors who specialize in skin and mucous membrane problems, including the diagnosis and treatment of pemphigus vulgaris as well as foliaceus, are accepted at the OT.CO Clinic. To determine that the lesions present are actually pemphigus, it is usually not enough to simply assess the location and nature of the blisters. Confirmation of the diagnosis is usually provided by the result of a histopathological examination of the altered skin fragment and laboratory procedures related to the detection of Pemphigus antibodies.
Pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris – treatment.
Pemphigus is a disease for which two-pronged treatment must be applied. This involves the use of both topical agents to soothe and reduce the lesions, and systemic agents to calm the autoimmune reaction. The specific preparations and the concentration of the therapeutic compounds they contain are selected depending on the severity of the patient's symptoms.
For topical treatment, suspensions for brushing mucous membranes in the mouth, medicated baths and ointments are recommended, depending on the area where the lesions are located. The formulations usually contain disinfectants, antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, and antifungal compounds in their composition. In terms of systemic treatment, corticosteroids are also used, but in tablet form (most commonly prednisone or prednisolone), as well as immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine, which reduce the activity of the immune system. In an extremely severe course of pemphigus vulgaris, intravenous administration of immunoglobulin may be included.
For those affected by pemphigus, the OT.CO Clinic offers tailored services in diagnosing and treating this condition. For further information, please consult the offer on pemphigus treatment.
Conclusion
Pemphigus is a challenging autoimmune disease that causes painful blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. The two main types, vulgaris and foliaceus, differ in severity and affected areas. Proper diagnosis is key, requiring expert dermatological care and specialized testing. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and calming immune responses through topical and systemic therapies. While the condition is chronic, prompt medical intervention can significantly improve quality of life. If you suspect symptoms, seek a specialist immediately to begin tailored care and prevent complications. Taking care of your skin starts with understanding and addressing its needs effectively.
