The Management of Oral Pemphigus Vulgaris in a Hypertensive Patient: A Case Report

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes painful blisters on the skin and mucosa along with erosions due to intra-epithelial acantholysis. This acantholysis is mainly due to an immune reaction against desmoglein (an adhesion glycoprotein molecule) by IgG autoantibodies, which causes loss of cell-to-cell adhesion. The treatment consists of systemic corticosteroids such as tablet prednisolone along with topical steroids such as 0.1% triamcinolone paste. But steroids are known for their side effects, one of which is hypertension. It is vital for a dentist to curate the management of this lesion particularly when the drug of choice can potentially lead to adverse effects including systemic complications. This is a case report of a 60-year-old female with PV with systemic hypertension, emphasizing the management of this condition so as to prevent any complications that may arise due to the drug that is administered.