Pemphigus Vulgaris -A skin condition that causes blisters. Pemphigus Vulgaris is
a serious disease that needs treatment. Untreated the disease can be fatal.
Antibodies are made against a protein that binds the skin cells together. The antibody
attack dissolves the binding between some skin cells and causes the cells to separate
from each other. Fluid builds up between the separated cells and forms blisters.
It is thought that something triggers the immune system to attack the body's own
tissues. Possible triggers include viruses, infection, or other environmental factors.
There may be an inherited factor which makes some those more prone to develop auto-immune
diseases.
Often, it is the mouth blisters which develop first. These burst and form painful
mouth erosions. The skin blisters may follow some weeks or months later.
If PV is left untreated, the blisters tend to persist and the number of blisters
tends to increase. It can become distressing if there are many blisters, as they
can burst to leave areas of raw, painful skin. These raw areas are at risk of infection
which can be serious.
When PV is active in the mouth or throat it can become difficult to eat or drink,
or have a good quality of life.
