[Bullae and blisters--differential diagnosis]

MMW Fortschr Med. 2007 Feb 8;149(6):29-32.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Circumscribed collections of fluid in the skin are termed blisters or blebs (roughly up to 1 cm) or bullae (roughly upwards of 1 cm). They may be subcorneal (e.g. impetigo contagiosa, pemphigus foliaceus), intra-epidermal (e.g. pemphigus vulgaris, epidermolysis bullosa simplex), junctional (e.g. bullous pemphigoid) or subepidermal (epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica). Puss-filled vesicles are termed pustules. Impetigo contagiosa is by far the most common vesicle-forming disease seen in children. As a rule,the diagnosis and treatment are unproblematic. At the latest when suitable therapy fails to elicit a response and/or in the absence of pyogens, the less common differential diagnoses must be considered.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa / diagnosis
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa / therapy
  • Family Practice
  • Humans
  • Impetigo / diagnosis
  • Impetigo / therapy
  • Infant
  • Mastocytosis / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / etiology
  • Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / therapy