Pemphigus

Living with a blistering autoimmune skin disease like pemphigus can be difficult. The fragile blisters it causes break easily and leave painful sores. These can appear on the skin or in moist areas like the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat, making eating, drinking, and speaking painful. If raw, oozing sores become infected, they can lead to serious complications. This long-term condition can take a toll on your daily life, but with the right care plan, pemphigus can be managed.

Dermatologists who specialize in autoimmune skin disorders can diagnose and treat pemphigus. Because the disease can affect the mouth and eyes, care may be coordinated with dentists or ophthalmologists. Penn Dermatology specialists treat all types of autoimmune blistering diseases, including the rarest and most challenging forms.

Different types of pemphigus produce different symptoms, which can include:

• Fluid-filled bumps or blisters
• Oozing or crusting of open sores
• Peeling or shedding skin
• Itchy skin
• Painful sores or skin
• Darkened spots or patches
• Infected sores
• Sepsis if the infection spreads to the bloodstream

Pemphigus happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the proteins that help skin and mucous membrane cells stick together, causing blisters to form. Why the body attacks itself is unknown, but research suggests both genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

Pemphigus is usually treated with medication to help stop new blisters from forming and to heal the ones you already have. This often includes steroids and drugs that calm down the immune system. If a drug caused your pemphigus, stopping it might help your skin heal. In some cases, wound care, antibiotics, or other supportive treatments are needed if the skin becomes infected.

When you’re facing a rare and potentially serious autoimmune disease like pemphigus, it’s important to choose a provider with experience. At Penn Dermatology, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of autoimmune blistering diseases.

Physicians from across the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions and beyond refer complex cases to us. Several of our dermatologists serve on boards or participate in committees of the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation.

Choosing Penn Dermatology means you’ll receive expert, compassionate care. We are one of the few dermatology departments in the nation with dedicated research labs and in-house dermatopathology services. Among the best in the country, our dermatopathologists use advanced techniques, including direct and indirect immunofluorescence, to analyze skin biopsies and accurately diagnose pemphigus.