Food Triggers for Pemphigus
Pemphigus is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes blistering of the skin and in some cases, the mucous membranes. The immune systems of people who have pemphigus treat skin cells and mucous membranes as harmful viruses or bacteria and begins attacking them. The disorder tends to be genetic and more common in people of Mediterranean, Persian and Northern Indian decent, as well as Eastern European Jews. Once pemphigus appears, certain foods may trigger an outbreak of the disease.
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Types of Pemphigus
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There are different types of pemphigus, which commonly occur in middle-aged or older people. The most common type is pemphigus vulgaris, which causes painful sores and blisters in the mouth and as far down as the vocal cords.
Lesions that appear on the face and scalp and spread to the chest and back are signs of pemphigus foliaceus. This form of the disease is not as painful as pemphigus vulgaris, but the sores and blisters are extremely itchy and could cause disfigurement.
The least common, but most serious type of pemphigus is paraneoplastic pemphigus. This type causes skin lesions and sores on the lips, mouth and esophagus. Tumors may also be present.
Regardless of the type of pemphigus a person may have, certain foods can trigger a flare-up of the disorder, especially if they are prescribed prednisone and certain other medications.
Medication Triggers for Pemphigus
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Captopul, penicillamine and ritampicin are drugs that can cause pemphigus. Prednisone is generally prescribed to control pemphigus. As a result, a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is recommended while prednisone is being taken. Foods should also be low in fat and salt. Maintaining proper levels of potassium and calcium is also important.
Some foods also have similar chemical compositions to the drugs that cause pemphigus. Therefore, patients should avoid foods that contain tannins, isothiocyanates, thiol and phenols as ingredients.
Foods Containing Tannins
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Tannins can be found in a variety of foods and beverages. Fruits and vegetables containing tannins that people with pemphigus should avoid are bananas, raspberries, blackberries, apples, pears, cherries, mangoes, cranberries, persimmons, grape skins, avocados and eggplants.
Other tannin triggers are black walnuts, kola nuts, cocoa seeds, black pepper, garlic, ginger, cumin, rosemary, coriander, ginseng, yucca and arrowroot.
Coffee, some teas, soft drinks, beer and wine are among the drinks that contain tannins and could trigger pemphigus.
Foods Containing Isothiocyanates
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Isothiocyanates, which are mustard oils found in many types of vegetables, could cause a pemphigus outbreak in people with the disorder. Vegetables in this class are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, mustard, brussel sprouts, winter cress, radish and horseradish.
Some seasoned sauces contain synthetic mustard oils for flavoring, which could irritate mucous membranes in people with pemphigus.
Foods Containing Thiols
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Onions, garlic and leeks are thiol-containing foods that can trigger an outbreak or flare-up of pemphigus. These foods are part of the Allium group, which also includes chives and shallots. Foods containing thiols may cause blisters and should be eliminated from the diet if they are suspected as a trigger of pemphigus.
Foods Containing Phenols
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Phenols are another trigger for pemphigus and can be found as cinnamic acid in fruit juices and flavorings in ice cream, baked goods, candy, condiments and beverages. Pinene is another common type of phenol that is found in potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, mangoes and black pepper.
Phenols can also be found in foods that are smoked or have a smoked flavor, and in milk and other dairy products from cows that feed on cottonseed.
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