Pemphigoid Gestationis Symptoms
The most common symptom of pemphigoid gestationis is water blisters on your body. These water blisters are caused by tiny insects called ‘water fleas’.
Water flea bites cause severe itching, burning pain, redness and swelling all over your skin. You may experience these symptoms even if you don’t have any contact with water or dirt. If you have been bitten by water fleas, it’s better to wash off the water flea bite immediately.
Water flea bites usually appear first on your face, neck and arms. They will then spread to other parts of your body.
Water flea bites may itch like crazy when they occur. Your skin may become very dry and cracked due to the itching pains.
If you have been bitten by water fleas, you need to get rid of them immediately. You can do so by washing your skin with soap and warm water.
After washing, apply some antiseptic cream on the affected area. Keep applying the antiseptic cream until the itching stops completely.
Water fleas usually appear when the water or moisture on your skin begins to evaporate. These tiny insects can easily hide in small puddles of water around you.
You can find them in dirty clothes, damp towels, or in a moist carpet. That’s why it is important that you keep yourself and your stuff clean by regularly washing everything.
Pemphigoid Gestationis During Pregnancy
The only way to know if you have pemphigoid gestationis is by visiting a doctor. If you are pregnant, make sure to see your ob-gyn as soon as possible.
In most cases, pemphigoid gestationis can be treated with topical steroids. Your physician may also prescribe an anti-itch medicine such as diphenhydramine. If you experience breathing difficulties, swallowing problems, or abdominal pains, seek emergency medical attention.
How Pemphigoid Gestationis Affects The Fetus
If you get pemphigoid gestationis, it is unlikely that it will harm your baby. The chances of passing on this condition to your child are low as well.
You may need to take steroids during your pregnancy to stop the pemphigoid gestationis from getting worse. If you are worried about this condition affecting your baby in some way, talk to your physician.
Pemphigoid Gestationis Treatment
There is no specific treatment for pemphigoid gestationis. If you begin to see water blisters forming on the skin, apply a topical steroid cream or ointment.
Ask your ob-gyn about taking a low dose of prednisone. This is a steroid that can relieve the itching and burning sensations you get with pemphigoid gestationis.
It is important to take some time for yourself to relax and reduce your stress levels. Practicing yoga, deep breathing, or listening to calming music can help you manage you stress.
Try to get a full night of restful sleep every night. Sleeping in a dark room and eliminating all electronics at least one hour before bedtime can help with this.
If the pemphigoid gestationis does not go away after your pregnancy, your ob-gyn might recommend treatment with a medium- to high-strength topical steroid.
Pemphigoid Gestationis Prevention
There is currently no known way to prevent pemphigoid gestationis From occurring. However, seeing your ob-gyn as scheduled during your pregnancy and reporting any strange symptoms can help catch this condition early.
The best way to prevent pemphigoid gestationis is to seek prompt medical attention if you experience anything out of the ordinary. Better to be safe than sorry!
If you think you are experiencing pemphigoid gestationis or another skin condition, schedule an appointment with your ob-gyn right away. Early detection and treatment can help prevent this condition from getting worse.
Sources & references used in this article:
Clinical features and management of 87 patients with pemphigoid gestationis. by RE Jenkins, S Hern, MM Black – Clinical and experimental …, 1999 – europepmc.org
Pemphigoid gestationis: current insights into pathogenesis and treatment by K Semkova, M Black – European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and …, 2009 – Elsevier
The fetal prognosis in pemphigoid gestationis (herpes gestationis) by RC Holmes, MM Black – British Journal of Dermatology, 1984 – Wiley Online Library
Pemphigoid gestationis: early onset and blister formation are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes by CC Chi, SH Wang, R Charles‐Holmes… – British Journal of …, 2009 – Wiley Online Library
Secondary autoimmune diseases in herpes gestationis (pemphigoid gestationis) by JK Shornick, MM Black – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992 – Elsevier
