Dyshidrotic Bullous Pemphigoid: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Dyshidrotic pemphigoid (DP) is a rare variant of bullous pemphigoid (BP) that affects the hands and feet and may resemble an acute vesicular eczema. While it can remain confined to hands and feet, spread that involves the entire body is described. BP and DP are associated with autoantibodies directed against hemidesmosomal proteins BP180 (collagen XVII) and BP230 (dystonin), which are transmembrane and intracellular proteins in the basement membrane zone, respectively.

Case summary: We present a case of DP in a 78-year-old woman who was diagnosed based on histopathologic and immunofluorescence findings and subsequently successfully treated.

Conclusion: DP is an unusual form of localized BP. While the pathogenesis is still unclear, it may involve differential expression of BP antigens in the cutaneous basement membrane of the hands and feet. The clinical presentation is a diagnostic challenge, and skin biopsies with immunofluorescence studies are required for diagnosis.

Keywords: blistering disorder; bullous pemphigoid.