The “Pemph” consists of a number of non-contageous autoimmune skin diseases. The categories of the pemph were defined years ago, when medical doctors divided out the kinds of pemph by what they observed on their patients. These categories are still used today, confirmed by certain laboratory tests. Each category has a typical kind of destruction that affects certain areas of the body’s surface, between the tough, dry skin of the epidermis and the soft and mucous-producing membranes. Whatever their name, and regardless of how a particular “pemph” presents, they are all autoimmune diseases that involve destruction of the structure of the skin in their own way.
Pictures of examples of these diseases can be graphic and disturbing, which we’re going to spare you from here. An Internet search will produce these, if you have the interest.
Very briefly, the most commonly recognized types of “pemph” are:
Pemphigus Vulgaris
A common form of pemph that usually affects the mouth, and often other mucous membrane areas such as the throat, genitals and eyes. (“Vulgaris” is Latin for “mouth”.) More advanced cases can also develop blistering on the face, upper torso and other areas of the skin.
Bullous Pemphigoid
Another common form of pemph with blister clusters that linger and don’t break easily. The affected areas are usually accompanied by severe itching. This form does not usually involve mucous membranes.
If you have the pemph, it is most likely one of these two. There are other more uncommon types of “pemph” which are:
Pemphigus Foliaceus: Pemph that presents with flakes
Pemphigus Vegetans: Pemph that presents with cauliflower-looking plaques
Paraneoplasic Pemphigus: Pemph that cccurs with malignant cancer
IgA Pemphigus: Presents similarly to Bullous Pemphigoid
Cicatricial Pemphigoid / Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: Involves mainly mucosa, and has scarring; if this involves the eyes it is called Ocular Pemphigoid (there is risk of rapid blindness)
Pemphigoid Gestationis: Pemphigoid during pregnancy
Related Diseases
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