Hailey-Hailey disease causes painful blisters and rashes, and is a genetic skin disorder. Treatment includes steroids, UV light therapy, antibiotics, and surgery. It can be misdiagnosed and cause embarrassment, but is not a serious illness.
Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare genetic skin disorder that causes the skin to blister. A child born to a parent with the condition has a 50% chance of developing symptoms. Some of the more common features of the disease include a painful rash, blisters, and secondary infections. While there is no known cure for this skin condition, treatment may include steroid medications, ultraviolet light therapy, or the use of prescribed antibiotics. Surgery to remove the lesions may be necessary in severe cases of Hailey-Hailey disease.
While symptoms of Hailey-Hailey disease usually begin after adolescence, they can appear at any age. The first sign of this skin disorder is usually the presence of a red rash that can lead to scaly patches of skin or the appearance of one or more small blisters. This rash can come and go infrequently and can cause itching, pain, and a foul odor. Most commonly, lesions associated with Hailey-Hailey disease appear in skin folds where there is a lot of friction or moisture, such as the groin, armpit, and area just under the breasts.
There are generally no significant health risks associated with Hailey-Hailey disease and it is considered more of a nuisance than a serious illness. Many people with this disorder feel isolated or embarrassed by the look and smell associated with the lesions. No cure is available for this condition, although there are a variety of treatment options that can help manage specific symptoms. It may be wise to visit a dermatologist to receive an accurate diagnosis because Hailey-Hailey disease is often misdiagnosed as other skin conditions, such as impetigo, eczema, or itchy skin. A skin biopsy can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Cortisone creams and oral steroid medications are often prescribed to treat the pain, itching, and inflammation associated with Hailey-Hailey disease. Ultraviolet light therapy, laser treatments, and avoidance of triggers, such as sun exposure, can be helpful for those with this disorder. Secondary infections that develop as a result of skin damage caused by the lesions can be treated with oral antibiotics or topical antibiotic ointments. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the lesions in extreme situations, and skin grafts are often needed to replace damaged skin with healthy tissue.
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