Pemphigoid is a disease from the group of blistering dermatoses that occurs most often in old age. It is characterized by large blisters that appear on the erythematous-swollen areas or on the skin that is apparently unchanged.
Pemphigoidcan be triggered by some pharmacological preparations, such asdiuretic- furosemide or topical agents, e.g. in therapyscabiesorpsoriasis . The course of pemphigoid is chronic and often recurrent, lasting for months or even years.
Pemphigoid - symptoms
Common features of a pemphigoid are:
- multiform skin lesions of erythematous-edema, urticarial, bullous and vesicular nature
- blisters of various sizes, usually well taut, often haemorrhagic
- sometimes small patches in a circular pattern
- sometimes skin lesions may be itching and burning
Pemphigoid - diagnosis
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the characteristic clinical features of the disease. Additionally, a histological examination of a section of the diseased skin is performed under a microscope, after special staining is applied.
Pemphigoid treatment
Treatment of this condition is based on the oral administration of moderate doses of glucocorticosteroids, which generally gives a good therapeutic effect and causes a rapid resolution of skin lesions. The doses of drugs should be gradually reduced, but they must not be abruptly discontinued, because there is a high risk of the disease recurrence.
Sometimes it is beneficial to combine glucocorticosteroids with sulfones or some antibiotics (e.g. tetracycline or erythromycin).