User:Mr. Ibrahem/Pemphigoid gestationis

Pemphigoid gestationis (PG), also known as gestational pemphigoid, is an autoimmune variant of the skin disease bullous pemphigoid, that first appears in pregnancy. Symptoms include blisters, small bumps, hives, and intense itching. It usually starting around the belly button before spreading to the chest and limbs; with the head, face, and mouth being spared. Onset is usually in mid-pregnancy to shortly after delivery.

It is caused by antibodies against the mother's own skin, resulting in skin layers splitting and forming blisters. It is possibly triggered by some placenta cells entering the mother's blood. Risks include molar pregnancy and choriocarcinoma. It does not spread between people and does not run in families. It typically lasts six months and can reoccur in future pregnancies, menstrual periods, and from birth control pill. In some people, it persists long-term. Diagnosis is based on progression of symptoms, blood tests, and skin biopsy with immunofluorescence. It can resemble pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPP), erythema multiforme, drug reactions and blistering scabies.

Treatment is generally with corticosteroids, either applied to the skin or taking prednisolone 40mg/day by mouth. Other medicines that have been tried include pyridoxine, and tetracycline with nicotinamide. Complications can include premature delivery of a small baby; or a baby born with blisters and hives, which generally resolves within six weeks. The blisters can subsequently become infected with bacteria. Around 10% of affected women develop Grave's disease.

Pemphigoid gestationis affects around 1 in 20,000 to 50,000 pregnancies. The condition was first described by London physician John Laws Milton in 1872. It was originally called herpes gestationis because of the blistering appearance, although it is not associated with the herpes virus.