﻿ Bullous Pemphigoid Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, Skin Disease -
MedicineNet  Bullous Pemphigoid  Medical Author: Medical Editor:
What is bullous pemphigoid?  Bullous pemphigoid is an uncommon
skin disease characterized by tense blistering eruptions on the
surface of the skin. Occasionally, the inner lining tissue of
the mouth, nasal passages, or conjunctivae of the eyes (mucous
membrane tissue) can be involved. The condition is caused by
antibodies and inflammation abnormally accumulating in a
particular layer of the skin or mucous membranes. This layer of
tissue is called the "basement membrane." These antibodies
(immunoglobulins) bind to proteins in the basement membrane
called hemidesmosomal BP antigens and this attracts cells of
inflammation. The mucous membrane disease is also referred to
separately as mucous membrane pemphigoid.  A majority of those
affected by bullous pemphigoid are 50 years of age or older.
While the cause is unknown, it is felt by some that an aging
immune system may become activat