Bullous pemphigoid

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Bullous pemphigoid, close-up of tense blisters

Bullous pemphigoid

Treatment:

Treatment is focused on relief of symptoms and prevention of infection.

Corticosteroids are the treatment of choice. They are given by mouth or by injection. Topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) corticosteroids may also be used on early, localized lesions.

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Other medications may include chemotherapy or immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate, or cyclophosphamide. Antibiotics in the tetracycline family may be useful in mild cases. Niacin (a B complex vitamin) is sometimes given along with tetracycline.

Expectations (prognosis):

Bullous pemphigoid usually responds well to treatment. In most patients, all medications may be stopped after several years. In a small group, however, the disease will recur after treatment is stopped.

Complications:

Infection of the skin lesions is the most common complication.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your physician if you notice unexplained blisters on your skin, or, an itchy rash persists despite home treatment.