Pemphigus facts for kids
Pemphigus is a very rare skin problem. It happens when your body's defense system, called antibodies, accidentally attacks your own skin cells. This is called an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system gets a bit confused. When this happens, it causes blisters and raw spots on the skin.
There are different kinds of pemphigus. The most common type is called Pemphigus vulgaris.
Contents
What is Pemphigus?
Pemphigus is a serious skin condition where your body's own immune system makes a mistake. Normally, your immune system protects you from germs and sickness. But with pemphigus, it starts attacking healthy cells in your skin and sometimes in the lining of your mouth, nose, throat, or even your eyes. This attack causes the skin cells to separate, leading to blisters.
Why Does Pemphigus Happen?
Your body has tiny defenders called antibodies. They are like soldiers that fight off bad things like viruses and bacteria. In people with pemphigus, these antibodies get confused. Instead of fighting germs, they attack special proteins that act like glue, holding your skin cells together. When this "glue" is broken, the skin layers pull apart, and a blister forms. Because it's your own immune system causing the problem, it's known as an autoimmune disease.
Different Kinds of Pemphigus
There are a few types of pemphigus, but they all involve the immune system attacking skin cells.
- Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common type. It often causes blisters that start in the mouth and then spread to the skin. These blisters are usually soft and break easily, leaving raw, painful areas.
- Pemphigus foliaceus is another type. With this kind, the blisters are usually on the skin and are more crusty or scaly. They don't typically appear in the mouth.
What Pemphigus Looks Like
The main sign of pemphigus is the appearance of blisters. These blisters can be different sizes and might be filled with clear fluid. They often break open easily, leaving behind open sores or raw spots that can be painful and slow to heal. These sores can make it hard to eat, drink, or even wear clothes, depending on where they are.
Images for kids
-
Microscopic image of direct immunofluorescence using an anti-IgG antibody. The tissue is skin from a patient with Pemphigus vulgaris. Note the intercellular IgG deposits in the epidermis and the early intraepidermal vesicle caused by acantholysis.
See also
In Spanish: Pénfigo para niños
