Treatment generally is twofold, targeting the
underlying cause as well as aiming to relieve
symptoms such as itching and the bullous
swellings. Topical CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONSoften
help the symptoms and sometimes the underlying
cause when it is an immune response or autoim-
mune disorder. ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATIONS, often both
topical and oral, are necessary to treat bullae that
arise from bacterial infection or that become
infected. Healed bullae may leave indentations or
scars, especially if they were infected.
HEALTH CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH SKIN BULLAEadverseDRUGreaction BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID
contact dermatitis DERMATITISherpetiformis
DIABETES EMPHYSEMA
hereditaryAUTOIMMUNE IMPETIGO
DISORDERS STAPHYLOCOCCAL SCALDED SKIN
PEMPHIGUS SYNDROME
TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS warfarin reaction
See also BLISTER; CALLUS; CELLULITIS; ICHTHYOSIS;
PAPULE; URTICARIA; VESICLE.
bullous pemphigoid An autoimmune disorder
in which itchy bullae (blisterlike formations)
develop on the SKIN. Bullous pemphigoid is more
common in people age 50 and older, and typically
occurs in those who are 70 or older. The bullae
tend to concentrate in areas where there are skin
folds, such as the groin and the creases of the
elbows and knees. The skin around the bullae
may be red and tender. The condition is self-limit-
ing, which means it will improve on its own.
However, the bullae are very uncomfortable; med-
ical intervention targets relieving their discomfort
and hastening the condition’s regression and reso-
lution. The doctor will likely biopsy several of the
bullae to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Treatment
with topical and oral CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS
reduces the IMMUNE RESPONSEand improves symp-
toms. The B vitamin niacinamide also provides
additional relief for some people. The bullae usu-
ally heal without scarring. In most people the bul-
lae heal within a few months, though occasionally
the course of disease may run several years.
See also AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS; BULLA; PEMPHI-
GUS.142 The Integumentary System