Bullous pemphigoid is a disease that causes blisters to form on the skin. It often lasts for up to 5 years. Treatment can help.
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Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease. This means the immune system attacks its own tissue by mistake. Normally, the immune system attacks foreign matter to prevent or stop infections. In this disease, it attacks tissue just below the top layer of skin.
The exact cause of the disease is not clear. It may be linked to other immune problems.
Bullous pemphigoid is more common in older people.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
The first symptom is often severe itching of the skin. A rash and blisters develop later. Blisters are usually clear. They are often found on the arms, legs, belly, and mouth, along skin folds. The blisters can break and form ulcers.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a skin specialist.
Tests may be done to rule out conditions with similar symptoms. Tests may include:
Treatment depends on how severe the disease is. If medicines have played a role in the disease, they may be changed or stopped. Bullous pemphigoid responds well to treatment. It often disappears completely within 5 years.
Treatment options are:
There are no guidelines to prevent bullous pemphigoid.
American Academy of Dermatology
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology
Canadian Dermatology Association
Bullous pemphigoid. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15855-bullous-pemphigoid. . Accessed July 29, 2021.
Bullous pemphigoid. DermNet NZ website. Available at:https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/bullous-pemphigoid/ . Accessed July 29, 2021.
Bullous pemphigoid. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/bullous-pemphigoid. Accessed July 29, 2021.
Bullous pemphigoid. NHS Choices website. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bullous-pemphigoid/. Accessed July 29, 2021.
Bullous pemphigoid. Primary Care Dermatology Society website. Available at:
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Accessed July 29, 2021.
Sadik CD, Schmidt E. Resolution in bullous pemphigoid. Semin Immunopathol. 2019;41(6):645-654.
Last reviewed July 2021 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Dan Ostrovsky, MD
Last Last Updated: 7/29/2021