Pemphigus

Pemphigus is an uncommon automimmune disorder affecting skin & mucous membranes in adults.

Symptoms

Oral blisters occur in 50% of cases.

Superficial blisters appear later over the scalp, face, back & chest.

Blisters are fragile & may burst to become crusted erosions.

Treatment

High-dose steroids (or other immunosuppressant), continued long-term.

Progosis

Untreated, pemphigus is progressive. Before treatment with steroids, 75% of patients died within 4 years. Morbidity & mortality are now prmarily due to excessive side-effects of treatment.