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Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare long-term condition caused by a problem with the immune system. It causes blisters in the mouth and on the skin. It can be very serious, but treatment can help control it.

Check if you have pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris causes blisters that burst easily and leave very sore patches.

Pemphigus vulgaris inside a person’s mouth. There are red, sore-looking patches covering the roof of the mouth.
The most common area affected is inside the mouth and throat, which can make swallowing painful.
Pemphigus vulgaris in someone with white skin. There are lots of small red patches covering the chest, tummy, shoulders and arms.
The blisters and sore areas can cover a large area of the body. Sometimes they can also affect the eyes, genitals or anus.

If you're not sure it's pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris can have similar symptoms to more common conditions, such as impetigo and hand, foot and mouth disease.

Do not try to diagnose yourself. See a GP if you're worried.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you have blisters or sore patches in your mouth or on your skin that do not go away or keep coming back

Treatments for pemphigus vulgaris

If a GP thinks you could have pemphigus vulgaris, they can refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) for tests and treatment.

Blisters caused by pemphigus vulgaris usually come and go over time. There's no cure, but treatment can help.

The main treatments are:

It usually takes a few weeks for the blisters to heal. Once this happens, you'll probably need treatment for several years to help stop the blisters coming back.

It may be possible to stop treatment eventually. If the blisters come back, you may need to repeat treatment.

Things you can do if you have pemphigus vulgaris

If you have pemphigus vulgaris, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of further problems.

Do

  • clean your teeth using a soft toothbrush and mint-free toothpaste

  • use antiseptic or painkilling (anaesthetic) mouthwash (try to avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol)

  • keep any sore patches clean to reduce the risk of infection

  • have regular dental check-ups

Don’t

  • do not eat spicy, acidic or hard foods if you have blisters in your mouth

  • do not do activities that could damage your skin (such as contact sports) if you have blisters on your skin

Complications of pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris can lead to other problems, such as:

You'll have regular check-ups to look for these problems and may be referred to other specialists (such as a dietitian) if needed.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • your blisters or sore patches are very painful or feel hot
  • there is yellow or green pus coming from your blisters or sore patches

These are signs of an infection, which needs to be treated quickly.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Causes of pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is caused by a problem with the immune system, which is the body’s defence against infection.

Instead of attacking germs, something goes wrong with the immune system and it attacks the skin by mistake. This damages the skin and causes blisters to appear.

It’s not clear why this happens. It’s not passed on in families and it’s not caused by an infection, so it cannot spread to other people.

Support if you have pemphigus vulgaris

Living with pemphigus vulgaris can be very difficult.

As well as support from your care team, it may help to get information and support from groups and charities such as:

Page last reviewed: 30 May 2022
Next review due: 30 May 2025