Precautions and suggestions for pemphigus patients

The onset and course of pemphigus are often the result of an interaction between predisposing genetic factors and environmental triggering agents. The latter are heterogeneous, numerous and increasing, ranging from drug intake (the commonest cause of pemphigus induction) to the exposure to physical agents (heat, UV and ionizing rays, surgical and cosmetic procedures), viral infections (especially by herpesvirus), contact dermatitis, certain diet ingredients and even emotional stress. Alerting physicians and pemphigus patients to the effects that unsuspected precipitating factors may have on the progression of the disease is an important task. In fact, avoiding or limiting deleterious habits (e.g. overindulging in unnecessary drugs) and suggesting alternative ways (e.g. substituting potentially pemphigus-inducing drugs with others considered harmless in this respect) may be a useful precaution in the management of pemphigus patients, since it can improve the efficacy of conventional treatments, reduce the risks of relapses and sometimes result in a cure.