Overview
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare skin disease where the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks a thin layer just beneath the outer skin. This causes large, fluid-filled blisters to form, most often on the arms, legs, belly, and groin. The blisters can be very itchy and painful, and the skin around them often looks red or inflamed. Before the blisters appear, many people experience intense itching or a rash that looks like hives for weeks or even months. Bullous pemphigoid is classified as an autoimmune blistering disease. It is the most common condition in this group of disorders. It mainly affects older adults, typically those over 60 years of age, though it can rarely occur in younger people and even children. The exact trigger is not always known, but certain medications, neurological conditions, and other health problems have been linked to its development. Treatment focuses on calming the immune system and healing the skin. Corticosteroids, especially a cream called clobetasol propionate applied to the skin, are often the first choice. Oral steroids like prednisone are also commonly used. Other medicines that suppress the immune system, such as doxycycline, dapsone, methotrexate, or azathioprine, may be added. A newer targeted therapy called dupilumab has shown promise. With proper treatment, many people achieve remission, meaning the disease goes quiet, though it can come back.
Key symptoms:
Large, tense fluid-filled blisters on the skinIntense itching, often severeRed or inflamed skin around the blistersHive-like rash before blisters appearBlisters on the arms, legs, belly, and groinBlisters in the mouth or other mucous membranes (less common)Skin that is tender or painful to touchBlisters that may break open and form soresThickened or crusted skin after blisters healSwelling in the affected areas
Clinical phenotype terms (15)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Late onset
Begins later in life, typically after age 50
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary — PHASE1
Chengdu Kangnuoxing Biopharma,Inc. — PHASE3
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice
University Hospital, Rouen
CHU de Reims — NA
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
University Hospital, Rouen — PHASE3
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Bullous pemphigoid.
4 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesDupixent
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Dupixent Patient Support (Regeneron Patient Services)
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Bullous pemphigoid.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Bullous pemphigoid.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Bullous pemphigoid
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Rituximab Versus Oral Cyclophosphamide in Severe Forms of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bullous pemphigoid
New recruiting trial: Proteomic and Metabolomic Lacrimal Fingerprint in Diverse Pathologies of the Ocular Surface
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bullous pemphigoid
New recruiting trial: Peridontal and Intestinal Microbiota in Patients With Gingival Scarring Pemphigoid
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bullous pemphigoid
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What treatment do you recommend for me, and how long will I need to take it?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what tests will you use to monitor my progress?,What are the risks and side effects of the medications you are prescribing?,Is there a chance this disease will go into remission, and what are the chances it will come back?,Are there any medications I am currently taking that could have triggered this condition?,Should I see any other specialists, such as a wound care nurse or immunologist?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I should consider?
Common questions about Bullous pemphigoid
What is Bullous pemphigoid?
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare skin disease where the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks a thin layer just beneath the outer skin. This causes large, fluid-filled blisters to form, most often on the arms, legs, belly, and groin. The blisters can be very itchy and painful, and the skin around them often looks red or inflamed. Before the blisters appear, many people experience intense itching or a rash that looks like hives for weeks or even months. Bullous pemphigoid is classified as an autoimmune blistering disease. It is the most common condition in this group of disorders. It ma
How is Bullous pemphigoid inherited?
Bullous pemphigoid follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Bullous pemphigoid typically begin?
Typical onset of Bullous pemphigoid is late onset. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Bullous pemphigoid?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Bullous pemphigoid on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Bullous pemphigoid?
20 specialists and care centers treating Bullous pemphigoid are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Bullous pemphigoid?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Bullous pemphigoid. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.