Pemphigus Treatment & Pregnancy

Pemphigus is an auto-immune skin disorder characterized by the formation of blisters on your mucous membranes or your skin. People of Middle Eastern or Jewish descent are more likely to get pemphigus. Pemphigus can complicate an otherwise normal pregnancy.

Symptoms

• Pemphigus causes a rash of blisters on your mucous membranes. Blisters are red, itchy and easily broken, which then exposes your body to infection. Pemphigus during pregnancy may present with blisters in the mouth or on the genitalia and may be associated with secondary infection.

Causes

• Because pemphigus is an auto-immune disorder, there is no specific cause associated with it. Pregnancy can exacerbate the symptoms.

Complications

• Complications from pemphigus include secondary infection and sepsis (blood infection). The primary concern with pemphigus and pregnancy is the risk of transmission of the blistery lesions to the baby. For this reason, most babies whose mothers have active pemphigus outbreaks are delivered by Caesarean section.

Treatment

• Treatment for pemphigus includes a regimen of corticosteroids such as prednisone, which can reduce the severity of an outbreak. For at-home treatment, use caution in touching the blisters as they may burst, but you can use prescribed lotions to help with the irritation.

Prevention

• Because pemphigus is an auto-immune disorder there is no known prevention. However, environmental issues may contribute to pemphigus, according to the National Institute of Health. Avoid exposure to pesticides, metal vapors, cigarette smoking and recreational drugs to help lessen the severity of an outbreak.