Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Of Bullous Pemphigoid

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another autoimmune condition that can trigger bullous pemphigoid. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis typically experience swelling and pain in the joints, and the small joints in the fingers and toes are often affected first. Stiffness may be present in the joints, and this is usually worse in the morning. Some patients may notice a loss of appetite, and the condition can also cause fevers and fatigue. To diagnose this form of arthritis, doctors carry out a physical examination to check the joints for swelling, warmth, and pain. The patient may also have their reflexes and muscle strength assessed. Blood tests to check for elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are commonly performed, and physicians may request further tests to detect rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. MRI scans, ultrasounds, and x-rays can be helpful in evaluating the severity and progression of this condition. Treatment typically consists of corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or biologics. Abatacept and tofacitinib are some of the newest biologic medicines available to treat this form of arthritis, and they are often more effective when taken with methotrexate.

Certain Medications

Certain medications can increase a patient's risk of developing bullous pemphigoid. Penicillin, etanercept, sulfasalazine, and furosemide are a few of the medicines doctors have currently identified as potential triggers for this condition. Patients who already have other risk factors for bullous pemphigoid, including an underlying condition such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, or multiple sclerosis, should ask their healthcare provider about how they might be impacted by taking these medicines and if a different medication could be prescribed instead. This is particularly important for individuals who are over sixty years old. Potential side effects of penicillin include reduced urine output, bloody diarrhea, weakness, easy bruising, confusion, and agitation. Individuals taking etanercept could experience heartburn, changes in weight, and liver problems such as jaundice or upper abdominal pain. Sulfasalazine use might result in stomach upset, decreased appetite, and dizziness, and some patients using this medicine have developed kidney issues. Furosemide, a diuretic, may lead to constipation, blurred vision, vertigo, and stomach cramps. Rarely, patients using furosemide could experience a reduction in thyroid hormones, and an excessive loss of water and electrolytes may occur. Individuals using any of these medicines should report rashes and skin blisters to their physician as soon as possible.