Blistering Diseases – Childhood Linear IgA Disease

Childhood Linear IgA Disease is an autoimmune blistering skin disease that I rarely encounter in both my The Woodlands dermatology and Conroe dermatology offices.  Typically, this skin disease begins around age 2 and goes into remission by age 12.  Clinically, blisters (bullae) develop on the buttocks and lower extremities as well as on the scalp and oral mucosa.  The blisters have a tendency to appear arranged in a circle and have been described as “a string of pearls.”  Many patients with this skin disease have very intense pruritus (itching).  Treatment usually involves the use of the antibiotic dapsone and topical steroids.  Rarely, systemic steroids are needed.