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Autoimmune Connective and Blistering Conditions
What are autoimmune connective and blistering conditions?
Autoimmune connective and blistering disorders are rare skin diseases that occur when the immune system attacks the skin and mucous membranes. The mucous membrane is the lining inside the mouth, nose, and other parts of the body. This then causes the formation of blisters.
The main symptom of blistering autoimmune diseases is blisters or lesions on the skin or mucous membranes, which may cause itching, pain or sores. The blisters or lesions may appear in different body areas depending on the type of autoimmune blistering disease diagnosed. Other symptoms may include:
- Breathing difficulties
- Swallowing difficulties
- Painful mouth
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding in the digestive tract)
- Visual difficulties
There are different types of Autoimmune Blistering Disorders, namely:
Pemphigus
These are disorders that result in blisters on the skin and inside the mouth, nose, throat, scalp, eyes, and genitals. These blisters are soft and can easily break open.
Bullous pemphigoid
This skin condition causes large fluid-filled itchy blisters to form on the arms, thighs, and belly.
Mucous membrane pemphigoid
This is a type of autoimmune blistering disorder that causes blistering lesions that affect mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes.
Pemphigoid gestations
This type of autoimmune blistering disorder affects women during pregnancy or after childbirth. It begins as a bumpy rash on the belly, legs and arms, and then the bumps develop into blisters.
IgA mediated bullous dermatoses
This is a group of subepidermal blistering disorders that result in blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. This is due to the immune system making a lot of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that fights bacteria, toxins and viruses.
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
This is a rare subepidermal blistering disease that causes the skin to be fragile, resulting in blisters on the skin and/or mucous membrane.
How are Autoimmune Blistering Skin Disorders treated?
Treatment of autoimmune blistering disorders aims to relieve symptoms and prevent complications associated with the type of autoimmune blistering disorder diagnosed. The primary treatment for these disorders includes corticosteroids like prednisone. Dr Limba may also prescribe the following:
- Immunosuppressive biological therapies like rituximab
- Immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate
- Antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral medications to help prevent infections.
FAQ:
How are these disorders diagnosed?
Dermatologists conduct tests such as blood tests, skin biopsies and direct immunofluorescence to diagnose autoimmune blistering disorders.
Are these disorders painful?
No, the lesions usually are not painful.
What are some symptoms of these disorders?
Quite simply, the formation of blisters in areas such as the skin and mucous membrane (which lines the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals).
