Pemphigus Causes & Risks

Causes

The immune system produces antibodies. These cause the skin and mucus membranes to break out in blisters and burn-like sores. What causes the body to attack itself is not known. Sometimes a drug can cause symptoms.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance for pemphigus include:

• Family members with pemphigus
• A history of having autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis , lupus , or thymoma
• Age: middle to late adulthood
• Jewish or Mediterranean descent
• Regular use of certain drugs, including:
  • Penicillamine
  • Captopril
  • Rifampin
  • Piroxicam
  • Penicillin
  • Phenobarbital