Bullous pemphigoid

[Michiko]

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease that causes blistering of the skin.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks the skin and causes blistering.
People develop large, itchy blisters with areas of inflamed skin.
Doctors can diagnose bullous pemphigoid by examining skin samples under a microscope and checking for certain antibody deposits.
Treatment involves corticosteroids and drugs that suppress the immune system.

(See also Overview of Blistering Disorders.)
Bullous pemphigoid occurs more often in people over age 60 but can occur in children. It is a less serious disease than pemphigus vulgaris (which also causes blistering), is not usually fatal, and does not result in widespread peeling of skin. It can involve a large portion of the skin, however, and can be very uncomfortable.
Although the cause of bullous pemphigoid is unknown, drugs (such as furosemide , spironolactone , sulfasalazine , antipsychotic drugs, penicillin, penicillamine , and etanercept ), physical causes (such as radiation therapy for breast cancer and ultraviolet radiation), skin disorders (such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and some infections), and certain other disorders (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and multiple sclerosis) may be triggers.