Bullous pemphigoid

Check if you have bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid mainly affects people over 60.

See a GP if:

• you have an itchy red rash that doesn't go away in a few weeks
• you have lots of blisters, or big, painful blisters
• you have blisters that keep coming back
• your skin is red, hot and swollen, or a blister is filled with green or yellow pus

A GP can check what the cause might be.

If they think it could be bullous pemphigoid, they may refer you to a specialist for tests and treatment.

Treatment for bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid eventually goes away on its own, but it can last a few years.

Treatment can help your skin heal, stop new patches or blisters appearing, and reduce the risk of your skin getting infected.

The main treatments are:

• steroid creams
• steroid tablets
• antibiotics

Your skin should eventually heal without scarring, but it might be a bit darker than it was before.

Bullous pemphigoid can be serious

Even with treatment, bullous pemphigoid can sometimes cause serious problems.

The main risks are:

• skin infections – these can be very serious if they get deeper into your body (sepsis)
• side effects of steroid treatment – including high blood pressure, weakened bones and a higher risk of getting infections

Steroids will be used as little as possible, and at the lowest possible dose, to help avoid side effects.

Make sure you attend any check-ups your doctor recommends so problems can be spotted and treated early.

Causes of bullous pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is caused by a problem with the immune system (the body's defence against infection). Instead of attacking germs, it attacks and damages the skin.

It's not known why this happens. Sometimes it's been linked to skin damage (such as sunburn) or taking certain medicines.

Bullous pemphigoid is not:

• contagious – it can't be spread to other people
• caused by an allergy
• affected by diet or lifestyle