[Bullous pemphigoid--a cause of itching of the skin with increasing incidence].

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous dermatosis of the elderly with increasing incidence. Autoantibodies against dermal collagen XVII cause severe pruritus and large, tense bullae that are clinically evident. Immunofluorescence analysis on perilesional skin is used in the diagnostics and serum BP1 80 levels parallel the disease activity. Topical or systemic steroids are mainly used as treatment, but adjuvant immunosuppressive medication may also be needed. Patients with bullous pemphigoid are more likely to have neurological diseases as comorbidity. In addition, mortality is significantly increased, possibly due to long-term use of systemic corticosteroids.