Overview
Bullous pemphigoid (bull-us pem-fuh-goyd) is a rare skin condition that causes itchy, hive-like welts or fluid-filled blisters.
It may affect a small area of your body or it may be widespread. Blisters may occur anywhere, but often develop on flexural areas of your skin, such as under your armpits (axilla), around your groin or on your stomach (abdomen). In some cases, blisters also form on mucous membranes, including your mouth, tongue, throat, esophagus and/or eyes.
Is bullous pemphigoid an autoimmune disease?
Yes, bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease. That means bullous pemphigoid occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the layer of tissue below your top layer of skin.
Who does bullous pemphigoid affect?
Bullous pemphigoid most commonly affects people over 60 years old, but it may also appear in younger people, too. It’s more common in the Western world, and uncommon in the Far East.
Bullous pemphigoid affects men and women equally.
You may be more likely to get bullous pemphigoid if you have a neurological disorder, including:
- Dementia.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Stroke.
- Epilepsy.
- Multiple sclerosis.
How common is bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid is relatively rare. There are between 2.4 and 23 cases per 1 million people in the general population. However, in people 80 years of age and older, there are between 190 and 312 cases per 1 million.
Is bullous pemphigoid fatal?
Bullous pemphigoid may be fatal if you’re in poor health or don’t seek treatment, especially if your blisters become infected.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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