After 35 years, some men and women may develop a disease called pemphigus. The disease affects the skin or mucous membranes of a person. Although the signs of inflammation are most often not noticed, the skin is covered with large blisters - bullae. Without timely treatment, they merge into larger formations, capturing an increasingly large space.
Unfortunately, the exact causes of the disease have not yet been established. But it is known that pemphigus is a multifaceted disease. It is suggested that it may be associated with a viral nature or impaired water-salt metabolism, improper protein metabolism in the body. Some experts believe that this is an autoimmune disease associated with a defect in cell membranes that maintain contact between cells. Probably, it is precisely the causes of the occurrence that cause the course of pemphigus disease, the symptoms of which can be different. They depend on the form of the disease, its “face”.
So vulgar pemphigus inflicts with blisters healthy-looking skin. Transparent formations may be filled with a yellowish or bloody fluid. When they burst, crusts or ulcers form. Even after complete healing, brown spots remain on the patient's body for a long time. The ailment is accompanied by severe burning and itching.
Vegetative pemphigus proceeds in a more severe form. In the process of this ailment, large blisters can occur in the mouth, around the navel, in the armpits, on the genitals, in the anus. The blisters that appear are very painful; they interfere with the normal functioning of the body, making it difficult to swallow, stool, and urination. After the bubbles open, a lot of pus is released from them, and extensive, long-healing erosions remain on the body.
Pemphigus seborrheic is localized on the face, resembling a butterfly in its shape. Bubbles with this kind of disease do not appear immediately. The rash that occurs on the face can move to the shoulder blades, abdomen, and other parts of the body for several months, causing severe itching, peeling, and swelling. Bubbles can appear after a lot of time, and then the form of the disease becomes externally indistinguishable from pemphigus vulgaris.
A leaf-shaped form of the disease in which blisters are sluggish, quickly opening, can lead to fever. The peculiarity of the course of this form is that ulceration of the skin affects very large areas of the body.
In children, the most common form of the disease is viral pemphigus, which they become infected at any time of the year. The causative agent is enterovirus, which spreads very quickly when coughing or sneezing or in contact with infected stools. Although the disease is considered harmless, it can cause swelling in the mouth, on the limbs. Usually the symptoms disappear after a week, but so that the consequences of it do not affect the general state of health, it is recommended to show the sick person to the doctor.
How is pemphigus treated? The disease requires an integrated approach. Usually, dermatologists prescribe a combination treatment with hormonal drugs (most often prednisolone) and external ointments, for example, betamethasone. In addition, it is recommended to take cytotoxic drugs, immunomodulatory agents. Usually, the disease responds well to such treatment. However, in the most complex cases, plasmapheresis or blood purification procedures may be required. Dermatologists recommend that patients follow a diet that excludes any food that has irritating effects.
How dangerous is pemphigus? A disease that is diagnosed very late can go into a protracted stage in which most of the patient’s body will be affected. Sometimes deaths occur.