Pathogenesis and Management of Autoimmune Diseases of the Skin

Abstract

Patients with lupus erythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, and bullous pemphigoid all have serum antibodies that bind to or react with structures in the epidermis. For this reason an autoimmune pathogenesis has been considered. This is, however, far from proved. Management of each of these diseases can be difficult and must be individualized. At the heart of therapy for severe cases are corticosteroids, sometimes used in combination with such immunosuppressive agents as azathioprine.