What is Pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune skin condition that causes blisters and erosions on the skin. These blisters are subepidermal, meaning they form beneath the outer layer of skin. This is what gives them their tense, firm quality and allows them to stay intact even when compressed.
Who is at risk?
Older individuals, typically between 60-80 years old are most often affected by Bullous pemphigoid. Additionally, those with a history of neurological conditions like stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis are at an increased risk of developing this condition.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Bullous pemphigoid often starts with itchy, red patches or hives that progressively worsen and swell. At first, there aren’t any blisters, which can often lead to a misdiagnosis of hives. As the condition progresses, tense blisters between 1 and 7 cm in size form, either alone or in groups. These blisters usually rupture within a week, leaving behind a sore that heals quickly. Nikolsky’s sign, where the skin peels off easily with slight pressure, is negative in Bullous pemphigoid, unlike in the similar condition Pemphigus.