Living with Bullous pemphigoid
An autoimmune skin condition with large blisters, mainly in older adults.
Understanding Bullous pemphigoid
Blisters usually appear on the arms, legs, or middle of the body, and sometimes in the mouth or genitals. They may break open and form sores. It usually occurs in older people and is rare in young people. Symptoms may come and go.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Large blisters on the skin
- Itching
- Red skin and hives
- Eczema-like rash
- Sores after blisters break
- Weight loss
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include skin, hair, and nail specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Autoimmune Association, International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation and Global Autoimmune Institute may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Skin, hair, and nail specialists (dermatologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Autoimmune Association, International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid Foundation, Global Autoimmune Institute
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Autoimmune Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
It is an autoimmune condition, in which the body's immune system attacks healthy body tissue by mistake.
Also known as: benign pemphigus; bp - bullous pemphigoid; old age pemphigus; parapemphigus; senile dermatitis herpetiformis
Patient organizations
- Autoimmune AssociationBullous pemphigoid · United States
- International Pemphigus & Pemphigoid FoundationBullous pemphigoid · United States
- Global Autoimmune InstituteBullous pemphigoid · United States
- Children's Skin Disease FoundationSkin diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Bullous pemphigoid.
Explore research for Bullous pemphigoid
Explore actively recruiting Bullous pemphigoid studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Bullous pemphigoid with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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