Medical Encyclopedia

Pemphigus is regarded as a rare skin disease which reveals itself in blisters on skin or in the mouth. In the most common form of pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris, the mouth is often the first place where blisters or sores appear. The blisters tend to rupture easily leaving open sores which may become infected. Pemphigus also affects the areas of nose, throat, eyes and genitals.

Equally with dermatologists who are best equipped to diagnose and treat pemphigus, dentists can provide patients with thorough examination for maintaining good oral health in order to prevent gum disease and tooth loss which can be caused by pemphigus.

The disease is a chronic condition but it can be proficiently controlled when diagnosed at an early stage. The less widespread pemphigus is the easier it may be to control.

Pemphigus occurs when your immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack healthy cells in your skin and mucous membranes. The antibodies primarily attack proteins in the skin known as desmogleins. When they are affected, skin cells separate from each other for the fluid to collect between the skin layers forming blisters.

Pemphigus is not contagious. According to the research, people exposed to this skin disorder belong to different racial and cultural lines. But the results of the research show that certain ethnic groups, such as Jewish community and people of Mediterranean descent, are more susceptible to pemphigus.

The main treatment for pemphigus includes high-doses oral corticosteroids such as Prednisolone. This anti-inflammatory medicine suppresses the immune system. High doses of Prednisolone, like 120 mg a day, are required to bring pemphigus under control. Prednisolone prevents new blisters or sores from appearing. Prednisolone can be taken by mouth or injected into a vein, a muscle or directly into a blister. High-dosed Prednisolone therapy for pemphigus treatment may take a number of years in order to remit the disease. For some patients it will be necessary to take small doses of the medication to keep the disease under control.

Patients must bear in mind that while being on Prednisolone pemphigus therapy there will appear some side effects which are typical when applying this drug. Among them there are stomach upsets, gaining weight and ulcer. In order to reduce these side effects it is of vital importance to take medications which are to prevent these particular diseases but after a thorough counseling with the doctor.