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Pemphigus vulgaris - Symptom

Symptoms:

  • Skin lesions which may be:
    • Recurrent or relapsing
    • Blistering, loose
    • Mouth or skin ulcers
    • Draining, oozing, crusting
    • Located on the mucous membrane of the mouth
    • Located on the scalp, trunk, or other skin areas
    • Spreading to other skin areas
    • Peeling superficially or detaching easily

Signs and tests:

  • Nikolsky's sign is positive -- when the surface of unaffected skin is rubbed sideways with a cotton swab or finger, the skin separates easily.
  • A skin lesion biopsy shows separation of epithelial cells from each other.
  • An examination of the biopsy tissue with immunofluorescence confirms pemphigus.
  • Reviewed last on: 7/27/2006
  • Shlomit Halachmi, MD, PhD, Private Practice Specializing in Dermatology, Somerville, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.