The key difference between pemphigoid and pemphigus is that pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by strong or tense blisters that don’t open easily, while pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by shallow ulcers or fragile blisters that break open quickly.
Pemphigoid and pemphigus are two different autoimmune blistering disorders that are normally not contagious. Both these disorders may have similar symptoms, such as painful blisters in the mouth, on the skin, or elsewhere in the body. Moreover, these blistering disorders can be treated through topical corticosteroids and dermatological surgeries.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Pemphigoid
3. What is Pemphigus
4. Similarities – Pemphigoid and Pemphigus
5. Pemphigoid vs Pemphigus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Pemphigoid vs Pemphigus
What is Pemphigoid?
Pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disorder that can develop at any age. But it is often more common in elderly people. This condition is mainly characterized by strong or tense blisters that don’t open easily. Pemphigoid is caused due to malfunction of the immune system, which leads to the formation of skin rashes and blisters on the legs, arms, and abdomen. Pemphigoid is mainly divided into three types: bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, and pemphigoid gestationis. In some cases, pemphigoid can be triggered by certain medications, radiation therapy, and ultraviolet light therapy. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include a red rash that develops before the blisters clear, fluid-filled large blisters on the skin, blisters that may contain some blood, blisters that are thick and do not rupture easily, skin that turns out to red or dark colour due to blisters, and painful and sensitive ruptured blisters.
Figure 01: Pemphigoid
Pemphigoid is usually diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for pemphigoid may include medications such as corticosteroids (topical and pills), immunosuppressants, and antibiotics (tetracycline).
What is Pemphigus?
Pemphigus is an autoimmune skin disorder resulting in sores, blisters, or fluid-filled bumps. This condition is mainly characterized by shallow ulcers or fragile blisters that break open quickly. Other than in the skin, these blisters also form in the mucous membranes, which are the soft linings of the eyes, nose, mouth, throat, and genitals. Pemphigus can affect anyone, but it is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. There are different types of pemphigus, such as pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vegetans, drug-induced pemphigus, and pemphigus erythematosus.
Figure 02: Pemphigus
The symptoms of pemphigus may include fluid-filled bumps on the skin, skin around the blister that is pink to red, sores that have a crusty appearance, blisters leaking clear fluid or bleeding lightly, skin around the blisters that are fragile and peels in layers, pain on the affected skin area, itchy skin, burning sensation when touched, swelling around the blisters, fever, fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, and light sensitivity. Moreover, pemphigus can be triggered by certain medications such as antibiotic penicillin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug piroxicam, blood pressure medications, and the presence of certain genes called HLA genes.
Pemphigus is normally diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for pemphigus may include medications (corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs, rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin, and antibiotics), stopping the use of medicines that trigger the symptoms, and wound care.
What are the Similarities Between Pemphigoid and Pemphigus?
- Pemphigoid and pemphigus are two different autoimmune blistering disorders.
- Both disorders are not contagious.
- These disorders may have similar symptoms, such as painful blisters in the mouth, on the skin, or elsewhere in the body.
- Both disorders can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and skin biopsy.
- They can be treated through specific medications.
What is the Difference Between Pemphigoid and Pemphigus?
Pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disorder with stronger or tense blisters that don’t open easily, while pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disorder with shallow ulcers or fragile blisters that break open quickly. Thus, this is the key difference between pemphigoid and pemphigus. Furthermore, pemphigoid is more common in elderly people, while pemphigus is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
The below infographic presents the differences between pemphigoid and pemphigus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Pemphigoid vs Pemphigus
Pemphigoid and pemphigus are two different types of autoimmune blistering disorders. They mainly present with painful blisters in the mouth, skin, or elsewhere in the body. However, stronger or tense blisters can be seen in pemphigoid, and they don’t open easily. In pemphigus, shallow ulcers or fragile blisters can be seen, and they break open quickly. So, this summarizes the difference between pemphigoid and pemphigus.
Reference:
1. “Pemphigus: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. Wint, Carmella. “Bullae: Pictures, Treatment, Symptoms, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pemphigus affecting the face of a man Wellcome L0061141” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bullous pemphigoid – male patient – 88 years old, 2005” By Hansmuller – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia