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Pemphigus vulgaris - Symptom

Symptoms:

About 50% of cases begin with blisters in the mouth, followed by skin blisters. Skin lesions may come and go.

The skin lesions may be described as:

  • Draining
  • Oozing
  • Crusting
  • Peeling or easily detached

They may be located:

  • In the mouth
  • On the scalp, trunk, or other skin areas

Signs and tests:

The skin separates easily when the surface of unaffected skin is rubbed sideways with a cotton swab or finger. This is called a positive Nikolsky's sign.

A skin lesion biopsy can help confirm the diagnosis.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/11/2008
  • Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Baroni A, Lanza A, Cirillo N, Brunetti G, Ruocco E, Ruocco V. Vesicular and Bullous Disorders: Pemphigus. Dermatol Clin. 2007 Oct;25(4):597-603, ix.

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