How to Treat Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic disease that causes skin inflammation. It is rare and tends to occur in people over the age of 60. It causes blisters to form on the skin. It is difficult and painful to do daily tasks because blisters can occur in the palms of the hands or on the soles of the feet. Blisters generally heal without any visible scarring. Blisters can also occur in the mouth and may become irritated from eating foods that are hard to chew such as raw vegetables. Without treatment, this disease is stubborn and will continue to hang around for months or even years. It is essential to begin a proper treatment plan that can help to reduce the formation of these blisters. The severity of Bullous pemphigoid can vary. Some individuals may have merely irritated skin while others may have sections of blisters on the skin. They are often located on the legs, arms or torso. Read on to learn more about how physicians treat Bullous pemphigoid.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Corticosteroid creams
• Oral steroids
• Supplemental vitamins
• Immunosuppresant

1. Keep in mind patients complain of severe and chronic itching of the skin. There is also a sensation of burning to the area. Early in the disease process, most physicians will treat Bullous pemphigoid with corticosteroid creams that can be applied to the skin. This is usually the preferred option. Yet some patients must be treated with oral steroids to control this disorder.

2. A course of prednisone in a tapering dose schedule may be prescribed. This helps to reduce inflammation and makes capillaries less likely to leak fluid. Usually as the patient has a reduction of blisters, the dose is lowered accordingly.

3. Patients are highly advised to take a supplemental vitamin to prevent the thinning and weakening of their bones. Osteoporosis can be caused from using steroids for a long period of time.

4. Patients should stay on the lowest dose of steroids as possible. Topical steroids can be used in combination with oral steroids.

5. Another option for patients that do not have success with steroids is using strong immunosuppressive medications such as Azathioprine.

6. It is important that the physician is aware of the entire medical history of the patient. Treatment may worsen other medical conditions and cause other complications. Those over the age of 60-years-old, generally have other health issues that complicate this disease. Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects such as ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.

7. Blisters can occur on the sensitive mucous membranes of the mouth.
   This can cause painful ulceration in the mouth. This can make eating foods difficult. If blisters are located in the oral area, a dentist should be involved in treatment.

8. Bullous pemphigoid can affect the inside of the nose. Be prepared for nosebleeds that can occur.

9. Patients should be extremely careful not to cause injury to their skin. The skin has fewer defenses because it may be thinner from this disease. Steroids that are applied to the skin can also make it weaker and more prone to damage.

10. Individuals diagnosed with Bullous pemphigoid must remain in treatment for a few years. There are periods of remission when the disease is treated successfully.

Tips & Warnings

• Most patients enter a time of remission after one year. Complete remission has occurred in patients after five years.
• Bullous pemphigoid usually flares up and then goes into remission.

[bake4u]

on 5/3/2008 wow never heard of this, great article and information thanks