skin disorders
Bullous Pemphigoid
Symptoms of Bullous Pemphigoid
Itching is often the first symptom of bullous pemphigoid. Blisters may not appear for several years. Before blisters appear, large, raised areas may develop, sometimes looking like hives. The immune system eventually forms antibodies directed against the skin, resulting in large, tense, and very itchy blisters surrounded by areas of normal-appearing skin or red, inflamed skin. The blisters usually do not burst, but those that do often rapidly heal. Blisters commonly develop on the parts of the body that are able to flex, such as the backs of the knees, the underarms, the insides of the elbows, and the groin. They sometimes develop on areas of skin that have been injured, the anus or genitals, the lower legs, and on areas where an artificial opening to the outside of the body (such as a stoma in the abdomen) exists. A rare form of bullous pemphigoid affects the hands and feet and can look like a form of Hand and Foot Dermatitis . Blisters in the mouth are rare. This photo shows blisters, sores, and crusts on the arm of a person with bullous pemphigoid. © Springer Science+Business Media Blisters, some of which have broken and become crusted, and red, swollen skin are seen on the foot. These findings are typical of bullous pemphigoid. Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD. This photo shows broken and unbroken blisters on red and inflamed skin on the legs of a person who has bullous pemphigoid. Image courtesy of Daniel M. Peraza, MD. 