Re: Pemphigus vulgaris

Oh, was it desmoglein antibodies blood test? "These antibodies are often elevated when pemphigus is first diagnosed. The levels of these antibodies usually goes down as symptoms improve."

LIP PHOTOS:

http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/29519/image.htm


http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/1196224/image.htm

http://www.skinsight.com/atlas/pemphigusVulgaris.htm


Ouch!
http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/1233032/image.htm



"Medications
Medications may be used alone or in combination with each other to treat pemphigus. Commonly prescribed drugs include:

Corticosteroids. The mainstay of treatment is usually corticosteroids, such as prednisone. However, using corticosteroids over an extended time or in high doses may cause serious side effects, including increased blood sugar, bone loss, an increased risk of infection, water retention, cataracts, glaucoma and a redistribution of body fat, leading to a round face (moon face).
Immunosuppressants. These medications, such as azathioprine (Imuran), methotrexate (Trexall) or mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), help keep your immune system from attacking healthy tissue. These drugs may have serious side effects, including increased risk of infection.

Biological therapies. If other medications don't help ease your symptoms, or if you have difficulty taking other medications, your doctor may prescribe a newer type of drug called rituximab (Rituxan). Rituximab targets the white blood cells responsible for the production of the pemphigus antibodies.

Antibiotics , antivirals and antifungal medications. These may be prescribed to control or prevent infections, particularly infection from staphylococcus bacteria or herpes viruses.

Additionally, other medications that alter the immune system, such as dapsone and intravenous immunoglobulin, may be prescribed.

Therapeutic plasmapheresis. In this process, the fluid part of your blood, called plasma, is removed from blood cells by a device known as a cell separator. The purpose is to get rid of the antibodies that are attacking your skin. The plasma is replaced with donated plasma or intravenous fluids."