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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Pemphigus is a group of rare skin disorders that cause blisters of your skin or mucous membranes, such as in your mouth or on your genitals.

Pemphigus can occur at any age, but often strikes people in middle age or older. The most common form of pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris tends to be more common in people of Middle Eastern or Jewish descent, though it can affect people of all races.

Usually a chronic condition, pemphigus is best controlled by early diagnosis and treatment, which may include medications or treatments similar to those used for severe burns. The less widespread your pemphigus is, the easier it may be to control.

References
  1. Goldstein BG. Pemphigus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 6, 2010.
  2. Berger TG. Dermatologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=747. Accessed April 5, 2010.
  3. Stanley JR. Pemphigus. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2970595. Accessed April 5, 2010.
  4. Pemphigus vulgaris. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch112/ch112f.html. Accessed April 5, 2009.
  5. Pemphigus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Pemphigus/default.asp. Accessed April 5, 2010.
  6. Baroni A. Vesicular and bullous disorders: Pemphigus. Dermatologic Clinics. 2007;25:597.
  7. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester. April 9, 2010.
DS00749 May 15, 2010

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