Signs and Symptoms of Pemphigus

Pemphigus develops slowly, beginning with blisters, which could remain in the same area for years. When the latter symptoms appear, they develop very fast. More blisters spread over the skin, and a once healthy patient becomes very sick. The pain and tiredness that comes with it could be fatal in severe cases of pemphigus. If you are unsure about any of these symptoms; contact ClearSkin London. Call 020 71833648 and make an appointment to see a dermatologist today.

Below, we highlight the steps involved in the development of pemphigus:

• Blisters begin on the skin, usually appearing in a single area
• The blisters break open and ooze fluids
• Sores develop from these blisters and become partly covered with crust.

Pemphigus sores

The sores develop from the blisters, and hardly ever itch, although they can be extremely painful most times. In some rare cases, people complain of the skin burning in the affected area. In some cases of pemphigus, the sores never heal. When it does heal, it takes a long time, and the sores leave a dark spot. Some people call this a scar, but it is not. The darks spot take a long time, but they fade away without any additional treatment.

Mouth and throat sores:

In most cases of pemphigus, sores are developed in the mouth. Mouth sores are common in people diagnosed with pemphigus Vulgaris, which is also the most common type of pemphigus. In about 50% to 70% of people who have pemphigus Vulgaris, blisters on the skin appear later than the mouth sores.

Like the sores on the skin, mouth sores begin as blisters. These blisters burst, causing very painful sores which fill the mouth, and in some cases even the throat, making eating and drinking and talking extremely difficult. If diagnosed with mouth sores, you might be required to eat only liquid food, and use a straw when you drink.

What other part of the body can pemphigus affect?

Nails

In rare cases, blisters affect nails, and the skin on the fingers and feet.  This occurs only in people with extreme pemphigus. As the blisters form and sores spread, the nails could slowly disappear, and there could be a risk of an infection developing on the nearby skin.

Lost nails are recovered in a majority of cases with effective treatment.

Moist tissues

If infected with pemphigus, you can find sores appearing in the tissues lining the inside of your eyes and nose. In some cases, sores can appear in the tissues covering your genitals and anus and spreading in rare cases into the oesophagus; the tube that carries food to the stomach.

A dermatologist can identify all of the above symptoms. Book an appointment to visit our Dermatology Clinic, as we offer some of the best private health services in skin treatment. Call 020 71833648 to get started.

Who can get pemphigus?

Pemphigus affects people of every part of the world and culture, although it is quite rare. There is no distinction between men and women, as both genders bear a risk of getting it. Most types of Pemphigus are more likely to affect middle-aged and older people than children; an example is pemphigus Vulgaris (the most common type of pemphigus).

What could increase your risk of getting pemphigus?

• Pemphigus Vulgaris is more common in people of Mediterranean and Jewish ancestry, especially of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
• Contracting myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease also increases your chance of catching the most common pemphigus, Pemphigus Vulgaris.
• Risk of Pemphigus foliaceus increases in people who take certain medicines, an example being penicillamine, which is used to prevent the occurrence of kidney stones, and treat rheumatoid arthritis and Wilsons disease.
• A type of pemphigus called fogo selvagem is endemic to tropical areas of South America. People living in these areas bear a greater risk of exposure to this pemphigus, especially children and young adults.
• Paraneoplastic pemphigus appears in people who have a tumour. This tumour can be either benign, pre-cancerous or cancerous. It is the rarest of all types of pemphigus.