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Erin E. Boh, MD, PhD; Larry E. Millikan, MD

JAMA. 1992;268(20):2893-2898.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

BLISTERING diseases of the skin are common. Causes include infectious agents, allergic drug reactions, contact dermatitis, and autoimmune diseases. This report will describe autoimmune blistering diseases.

Physicians should suspect an autoimmune bullous disease when there is no clear history of exposure to a drug or a contact allergen or when laboratory studies for infectious origins, such as herpes or impetigo, are negative. To differentiate these diseases, a careful history and physical examination are important. The distribution of clinical lesions and their patterns are frequently important in establishing the diagnosis. A skin biopsy is often helpful. As diagnosis is sometimes difficult, it is wise to work closely with a dermatologist consultant in both diagnosis and treatment of patients with these diseases.

This section seeks to provide a brief overview of pemphigus, pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood (CBDC), herpes gestationis (HG), and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) and includes . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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