Pemphigoid Gestationis is a rare skin blistering disease that I occasionally encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices. Pemphigoid Gestationis occurs during pregnancy or in the post partum period and is extremely rare occurring in one patient out of 40,000-50,000 pregnancies. The second trimester is the most common time at which Pemphigoid Gestationis begins. The abdomen and extremities are the most common sites affected. Typically, the skin lesions in Pemphigoid Gestationis occur as urticarial plaques that resemble Hives and can develop tense bullae (blisters). Usually, this skin disease resolves spontaneously approximately three months after delivery. Recurrence is common in future pregnancies and may be elicited by oral contraceptives or menstrual periods. About 5% of babies born to mothers with Pemphigoid Gestationis will also exhibit this blistering skin disease as the maternal antibodies responsible have crossed the placenta in utero. Most cases do not require treatment.
