Also known as BP, it is an autoimmune skin disease. It results in the creation of blisters under the surface of the skin and also the formation antibodies against collagen XVII.

It ranges from mild itchy welts to severe blisters. It can affect small parts of the body and can also be widespread. It has been seen that cats, dogs ,horses, pigs and humans can also be affected by it. It is a blistering disease and generally occurs in people who are over the age of fifty. Bullous pemphigoid can occur anywhere on the body but the likelihood of its occurrence is more in skin fold areas like the armpit and groin. Rarely is the disease life threatening.

Cause

Bullous pemphigoid is caused due to the attack of the germ fighting cells on the skin. The exact cause as to why the cells attack the skin is not known. The disease is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another.

Studies have shown increased level of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype, DQB1*0301 in patients with Bullous pemphigoid. Various other drugs that can cause Bullous pemphigoid include penicillin`s and furosemide.

Symptoms

The bullae can occur on normal-appearing skin and generally heal without milia or scarring formation. The vesicular form of Bullous pemphigoid is less common and it manifests as groups of tense blisters often on a erythematous base. The generalized erythroderma form is a presentation that can resemble generalized atopic dermatitis. Blood tests are generally inconclusive and a direct immunoflorecsence biopsy may be needed.

Treatment

There is no treatment for Bullous pemphigoid. It can only be controlled by the use of medication.

Minocycline and Tetracycline antibiotics are helpful in treating mild to moderate disease. This medication does not work on bacteria. It directly works on the immune system. These medications can be used in combination with potent topical steroid creams for rapid relief.

Oral medication like Imuran, Dapsone and Prednisone are used as a medication. These medications are quite powerful and have side effects. It requires a complete monitor of blood work by the doctor at least once a month. In case the blister breaks Polysporin should be put on the blister.

In most cases Bullous pemphigoid generally disappears completely and then the treatment can be stopped. The treatment is generally needed for a number of years but after a few months the dose of the medication can be reduced. Bullous pemphigoid generally follows a pattern and reappears in around five to six years.