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Showing posts from February 26, 2007

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is a blistering autoimmune skin lesion mostly seen in elderly patients.The disorder is characterised by a process called Acanthoysis (loss of cohesion between epidermal cells).Lesions are mostly flaccid blisters over the skin.These blisters burst out and the surounding skin gets denuded.In severe cases, substantial portions of the body get denuded.Manual pressue over these blisters can cause separation of epidermis.This is known as Nikolsky's sign. This finding is a characteristic feature of Pemphigus vulgaris but not the specific feature. Nikolsky's sign is also seen in Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Toxic epidermal necrolysis and few other skin conditions. Clinical Features: Sometimes the disorder starts with pruritis(itching).Lesions in Pemphigus vulgaris are usually seen over the oral mucosa, scalp, axilla, trunk, face, neck .Blisters are usually seen in the mouth first and then on other mucosa (pharyngeal, laryngeal, oesophageal, conjunctival, vulval or r