Have you suddenly started to develop fluid-filled blisters on your skin that burst easily? Or have you developed painful sores inside your mouth that make it difficult to eat or drink? It's normal for anyone to be scared when they see something like this. Today we're talking about a condition called "Pemphigus," which many people haven't heard of, but is very important to know about, and which causes symptoms like these.
Simply put, what is Pemphigus?
Pemphigus is a common name for a group of diseases that cause blisters and painful sores on the skin and mucous membranes due to a malfunction in our own immune system. This is called an autoimmune condition . This means that our body's defenses (antibodies) mistakenly attack our own healthy skin cells. This attack causes the skin cells to separate from each other and fill with fluid, forming blisters.
When you hear the word "mucous membranes," you probably wonder what they are. That means the delicate, moist membranes that line our mouths, noses, eyes, throats, and genitals. In pemphigus, blisters can sometimes form in these areas, rather than on the skin.
The most important thing is that pemphigus is not a contagious disease . Touching or being with someone who has the disease does not spread it to others. However, it is a lifelong disease. But don't worry, with proper medical treatment, you can control it well and live a normal life.
What are the main types of pemphigus?
Pemphigus doesn't come in one form or another. There are several main types, depending on where the blisters appear and what causes them. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Pemphigus Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Pemphigus vulgaris | This is the most common type. It starts with painful sores inside the mouth. It can make it difficult to eat and drink. Later, blisters may appear on the skin. These blisters are painful and take a long time to heal. |
| Pemphigus vegetans | This is similar to the type mentioned above, but the lesions are thicker and rougher in nature. They are especially common in areas where the skin folds, such as the armpits and groin. |
| Drug-induced pemphigus | Some medications, such as some antibiotics and high blood pressure medications, can cause this condition. Blisters can appear even months after taking the medication. |
| Pemphigus erythematosus | This is a type of lupus that is associated with the disease. The blisters most often appear on the upper back, chest, cheeks, and scalp. These lesions are red and scaly. |
| Pemphigus foliaceus | In this type, the blisters appear on the top layer of the skin. Therefore, they are very delicate and burst easily. When they burst, they form a crust and can spread over a large area. They are most commonly seen on the scalp, face, neck, and back. They rarely form inside the mouth. |
| Paraneoplastic pemphigus | This is the rarest and most severe type. It occurs in people who have cancer in their body. It causes very severe, painful sores in the mouth and throat. If a doctor diagnoses this type, they will definitely check for hidden cancer in the body. |
Who is most likely to get this disease?
Although pemphigus can affect people of any age, it is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. It is also more common in certain parts of the world, such as the Middle East, India, and Brazil.
This is not a very common disease. Worldwide, only about one to five people in a million are newly diagnosed with this disease each year. Therefore, it is considered a rare disease .
What exactly are the symptoms? How do we recognize a risk situation?
Symptoms may vary slightly depending on the type of pemphigus you have, but there are some common symptoms.
Common symptoms
- Fluid-filled blisters on the skin.
- Pink or red skin around the blister.
- When the blisters burst, they form a crust.
- Clear fluid or slight bleeding from wounds.
- The skin around the blisters is very delicate and peels off easily.
- Pain and itching at the site of the wound.
These could be signs of an infection! - Take care immediately!
When blisters burst, there is a greater chance of germs entering and causing infections. Look for these signs:
- Blisters that are filled with yellow or white pus or ooze from them.
- Increased burning or pain when touched.
- Increased swelling or redness of the skin around the wound.
- A yellow crust forms on the wound.
- The wound continues to heal.
If you have symptoms of this type of infection, you should inform your doctor immediately .
In some severe cases, symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and blurred vision may also occur.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose this disease?
If you have these symptoms, the first thing you should do is see a dermatologist. The doctor will carefully examine your symptoms, ask you about your symptoms, and then order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.
1. Skin Biopsy: This involves taking a very small piece of skin from a blister under anesthesia and examining it under a microscope. This can confirm the disease by looking at the way the skin cells are separated.
2. Blood Tests: This test checks to see if your blood contains specific antibodies that cause this disease.
It is based on the results of both of these tests that the doctor will determine exactly whether you have pemphigus, and if so, what type it is.
What are the treatments for pemphigus?
There are two main goals in treating pemphigus. One is to stop new blisters from forming, and the other is to heal existing blisters and wounds and prevent infection.
The treatment process usually occurs in three stages:
- Control phase: In this phase, relatively high doses of medication are given to control the formation of new blisters and to begin healing existing blisters.
- Consolidation phase: Once the blisters are largely controlled, the medication dosage is maintained at a stable level.
- Maintenance phase: Once the disease is well controlled, a very low dose of medication is given long-term to prevent recurrence of blisters.
Most commonly used drugs
- Corticosteroids: These are the main treatment. They work by reducing the body's immune system and controlling inflammation and swelling. They can be given as pills, injections, or creams.
- Immunosuppressive drugs: In addition to steroids, these drugs are given to further control the functioning of the immune system.
- Rituximab: This is a new treatment that targets and destroys the immune cells called B-cells that cause the disease.
- Antibiotics: If the blisters become infected with bacteria, these are given to treat them.
Important: All of these medications should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor, in the prescribed dosage and for the prescribed period of time. Do not stop taking them or change the dosage. There may be some side effects from the treatment, so your doctor will regularly check you and do blood tests to monitor them.
Things to pay attention to at home while living with the disease
While receiving treatment, there are several things you can do at home to manage your symptoms.
- If you have mouth ulcers: Avoid eating hard foods like spicy, sour, and hard biscuits. These can make the ulcers more painful. Eat soft foods like soup, porridge, and yogurt.
- Wound care: Keep wounds clean and apply appropriate ointments as directed by your doctor.
- Sun protection: Sun exposure can worsen skin conditions. So, if you are going out in the sun, use sunscreen and wear clothing that covers your body.
- Use skin-friendly products: Choose soaps and lotions that are fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
It may take several weeks or months to see results after starting treatment. Be patient and continue with the treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Pemphigus is a skin blistering and ulcerating disease caused by a defect in our body's own immune system.
- This is not a contagious disease at all . Treat patients with love and kindness.
- Although this is a lifelong condition, it can be well controlled with proper medical treatment .
- If you have painful blisters or sores in your mouth or skin that don't heal, be sure to seek medical advice .
- Following the treatment given by the doctor exactly and keeping the wounds clean are essential to controlling the disease.
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