Blistering skin disorders care

It’s uncomfortable—even painful—to have red, itchy rashes and fluid-filled blisters that cover a large area of your body. For some types of blistering skin diseases, blisters can rupture easily, putting you at risk of a serious infection. The first step to healing your skin is to get an accurate diagnosis. At Penn Dermatology’s Blistering Disease Clinic, our specialists are known for accepting referrals and caring for people with hard-to-diagnose blistering disorders.

There are several types of blistering skin conditions that fall into two broad categories:

• Autoimmune blistering disease: These conditions occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks proteins in your skin and mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, throat, and genitals.
• Hereditary blistering disease: These disorders are often present at birth and can cause blisters on your feet, hands, and other areas of your body.

Identifying your blistering skin disorder with precise diagnostics

Our clinic employs state-of-the-art diagnostic methods to accurately identify and characterize blistering conditions. These specialized approaches include tissue sampling (biopsy) and advanced microscopic analysis techniques such as immunofluorescence. These sophisticated tools allow our specialists to visualize the cellular structures and immune components of your skin at a molecular level, ensuring precise diagnosis and personalized treatment planning.

Once we have pinpointed what type of blistering skin disease you have, we use the latest available therapies to heal your blisters and relieve pain and itching. The right treatment also lowers your risk of getting an infection and can help prevent future skin blisters from forming.

Blistering skin disorders are complex, but our team is at the forefront of advancing knowledge and treatment options for these conditions. Our specialists lead pioneering research initiatives, including clinical trials that evaluate promising new therapies. As a patient, you may have the opportunity to participate in our innovative research studies.

Our dermatologists, recognized leaders in blistering skin diseases, provide access to the most advanced and effective treatments available. With the distinction of being the nation’s first department of dermatology, we are dedicated to improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life for people with blistering skin conditions.