Pemphigus, vulgaris on the back
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmine disorder, where the body's immune system attacks some of the proteins in the skin. Pemphigus usually occurs in middle-aged or older people. This picture shows a close-up of the blistering on the back. Most of the blisters have broken (denuded), which is common since these blisters are fragile.
Update Date: 7/11/2008 Updated by: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.