Bullous pemphigoid and prurigo nodularis

Abstract

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic blistering disorder characterized by specific clinical, histologic, and immunofluorescent findings. Several variants have been described, including pemphigoid nodularis, which may mimic or evolve from or into prurigo nodularis. The casual relationship between prurigo nodularis and bullous pemphigoid is unknown. We describe a patient with prurigo nodularis and no immunologic evidence of pemphigoid who subsequently developed bullae. Direct immunofluorescence then confirmed the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid. Apparently this patient had prurigo nodularis and then developed bullous pemphigoid.