Pemphigus is a very rare disease of the immune system, the symptoms of which are most severely felt on the skin. It is on the skin and mucous membranes that blisters will appear, which then turn into painful and difficult wounds.
Normally, the immune system produces antibodies that shield the body from attack by viruses and bacteria. The antibodies produced by the immune system of a person with pemphigus are misinterpreted as antigens by he althy tissues and destroyed. They turn against the structures that maintain the continuity of the epidermis. As a result of this process,blisterswill appear on the skin and mucous membranes, then turning into painfulwoundsthat do not heal.
Three types of pemphigus
Doctors distinguish three types of pemphigus:
» Pemphigusordinary attacks the oral mucosa first , the conjunctiva, the nasopharynx, the vocal cords and the esophagus are involved. Then, blisters appear on the skin, which may be accompanied by erythema. Blisters appear under the basal layer of the epidermis, most often on the skin of the hand, neck, lips, armpits, groin, and scalp. The most characteristic symptom of pemphigus is the fact that rubbing the skin in an apparently he althy area causes its delamination and the formation of another bladder. It is not accompanied by inflammation. Blister covers break easily when touched, forming shallow, slow-healing wounds in their place. Skin lesions heal without scarring if not joined with infection. Blisters are usually not accompanied by fever.
» Paraneoplastic pemphigus is the most serious type of disease and affects people who have had cancer. It manifests as a painful ulceration on the lips, mouth and esophagus. It is very difficult to treat.
» Leaf pemphigus resembles herpes or erythema. The blisters first appear on the scalp, then spread over the face, breasts and back. The changes are superficial, they do not appear in the mouth, but they are very itchy.
Pemphigus is a rare disease, until recently it was considered a fatal disease. Now it is possible to fight it effectively, but it is still a chronic disease, the symptoms of which may recur even after a long break. And although it is no longer a threatof life, this, however, makes it difficult for the affected person to function on a daily basis and to make interpersonal contacts. Doctors also still do not have a clear idea why people get pemphigus. They tend to believe that it is a hereditary, genetically determined disease, but they do not exclude - as its cause - infection with various types of viruses. They notice that the exacerbation of the disease and the spreading of blisters are favored by: burns, intense sunlight, some medications used to treat arterial hypertension and some antibiotics (e.g. penicillin). They also notice the effect of diet: blistering is favored by the presence of excessive amounts of leeks, garlic and onions in the meals consumed.
Diagnosis of pemphigus
The diagnosis of pemphigus is based on a history and observation of skin changes. Laboratory tests show the presence of autoantibodies. Sometimes the disease is confused with skin lesions of an eczematous nature, herpes, mycosis, shingles, erythema multiforme, blistering impetigo or drug eruptions. The mainstay of treatment are glucocorticosteroids and drugs that suppress the activity of the immune (immune) system. These drugs, however, can cause many side effects: cancer development, exposure to infections, damage to the liver and bone marrow. The prolonged therapy may also result in diabetes, osteoporosis, gastric ulcer disease, glaucoma and cataracts.
Important- Systematic intake of medications should be accompanied by care for hygiene, especially daily disinfecting baths, which will minimize the risk of infecting diseased skin.
- Due to the presence of painful erosions in the mouth and esophagus, use a liquid or semi-liquid diet.