Blistering Disorders

Blistering disorders (including pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceous, bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the skin and mucous membranes. These diseases all cause noticeable blisters or evidence of broken blisters. Autoimmune diseases can produce blisters when antibodies attack the skin cells, creating an opening between the two layers of skin in which fluid accumulates. In the inherited condition known as epidermolysis bullosa, a defect occurs in a gene that holds the skin together. This defect causes the skin to break easily and sometimes form a blister or open wound. Treatments for blistering disorders can vary from topical creams to oral prescription medication.