Pemphigus Vulgaris, or sometimes shortened to PV, usually starts with painful blisters and following sores in the mouth. These can be made or worsened by eating foods that rub and tear against the soft tissues of the mouth, which is why the first symptoms are usually seen there.
PV can sometimes worsen to thin-walled blisters on the outer skin, usually filled with clear fluid, that easily break (unlike Bullous Pemphigoid where blisters often do not break open). These can become leaky to encrusted sores that gradually heal to leave a discoloration on the skin.
With open sores, PV can make daily activities difficult, including eating, bathing and walking.
To confirm this type of Pemph, a doctor may apply a test for “Nikolsky’s sign”, which tests how intact layers of skin separate when a lateral pressure is applied.
PV can sometimes be a side-effect of lymphomas, so it is wise to promptly consult with a physician if you think you might have this disease.