Another autoimmune and blistering skin disease, except that in contrast to Pemphigus Vulgaris it rarely involves mucous
membranes, it rarely erodes (lesions are subepidermal and thus the bullae have thicker roofs), and it is
typically pruritic. Caused by the binding of circulating IgG autoantibodies to the skin basement membrane, BP is more common than PV, affects older patients (average age 65), and runs a chronic course marked by
remissions and exacerbations.
Onset may be subacute or acute, with widespread, tense, and often pruritic blisters. These may at times arise from persistent urticarial lesions, but also from chronic nonbullous inflammatory diseases, such as lichen planus and psoriasis.
Rupture of the blisters leaves painful and disabling erosions, especially when involving palms and soles. Still, the primary lesion of BP is the bulla:
tense, arising from normal-appearing as well as erythematous skin, and affecting any part of the body (even though flexural areas are usually a preferential site).
Involvement of ocular and oral mucosae is rare (only 10–25% of patients), but when it occurs, oral
intake may be limited because of dysphagia.
membranes, it rarely erodes (lesions are subepidermal and thus the bullae have thicker roofs), and it is
typically pruritic. Caused by the binding of circulating IgG autoantibodies to the skin basement membrane, BP is more common than PV, affects older patients (average age 65), and runs a chronic course marked by
remissions and exacerbations.
Onset may be subacute or acute, with widespread, tense, and often pruritic blisters. These may at times arise from persistent urticarial lesions, but also from chronic nonbullous inflammatory diseases, such as lichen planus and psoriasis.
Rupture of the blisters leaves painful and disabling erosions, especially when involving palms and soles. Still, the primary lesion of BP is the bulla:
tense, arising from normal-appearing as well as erythematous skin, and affecting any part of the body (even though flexural areas are usually a preferential site).
Involvement of ocular and oral mucosae is rare (only 10–25% of patients), but when it occurs, oral
intake may be limited because of dysphagia.