Skin Diseases

Pemphigus is a rare skin disease that causes by autoimmune disorders when body’s defense attacks its own tissues and cells.

Autoantibodies is antibodies attack one’s own cells. The part of the cells that are attacked in pemphigus are proteins called desmogleins. Desmogleins form the glue that attaches skin cells together, keeping the skin intact. When autoantibodies attack desmogleins, the cells become separated from each other. when skin becomes unglued. This causes burn-like lesions or blisters that do not heal. In some cases, these blisters occur a significant area of the skin.

Symptoms of Pemphigus

• Oral mucous membrane lesions
• Blister on skin
• Lesions usually start upper trunk and back. Gradual extension on face, groin, and maxillae.

Causes of Pemphigus

There are 3 types of Pemphigus:

1. Pemphigus vulgaris: Most common type of Pemphigus found majority in Middle East. Sore in the mouth, difficult to eat. Occur in mid to late adult life (40-60 of age).
2. Pemphigus foliaceus: body’s immune system destroyed protein caused crusty sores, then move to chest, back, and face. and is often mis-diagnosed as dermatitis or eczema.
3. Paraneoplastic pemphigus: is disease that causes 50% of chance of inheriting the disorder by parents have HHD.

Treatment of PemphigusBiopsy are needed before treatment

• Take high doses of orally steroids (prednisone 120-240 mg/day). Unfortunately,, high-dose of steroids for long term causes its own morbidity and mortality.
• Antibiotics may be used for treatment. If skin lesions do become infected.
• Talcum powder is used to prevent oozing sores from adhering to bedsheets and clothes.