The following symptoms and complaints may indicate Vesicles And Bulla (vesicles and bulla):
Leading Symptoms
- Fluid (serum, blood, lymph, etc.) filled cavity intraepidermally or subepidermally (intraepidermal means “located within the epidermis/superskin”; subepidermal means “located beneath the epidermis/superskin”)
- Cover of the vesicle or bulla (“vesicle” or “blister”) can easily tear.
- Depending on the diameter is called:
- <5 mm: Vesicles (“vesicles”; pl.: vesiculae).
- > 5 mm: Bulla (“bubbles”; pl.: bullae).
Warning signs (red flags)
- Anamnestic information:
- Child + suspected Lyell’s syndrome (synonyms: epidermolysis acuta toxica; “scalded skin syndrome”); acute skin change presented by vesicular detachment of the epidermis of the skin) → think of: because of rapid course and possible complications (e.g. sepsis/blood poisoning): immediate hospitalization!
- Pregnancy + varicella (chickenpox) → think of: high risk of serious pneumonia (pneumonia; varicella pneumonia).
- Immunosuppressive therapy + herpes simplex/varicella zoster (shingles) infections → think of: severe and disseminated courses (dissemination; lat. disseminare “to sow”).
- Herpes zoster with involvement of the ophthalmic nerve → think of: Spread to the eye is very likely! (> 50 %)
- Pemphigus (blistering skin diseases belonging to the autoimmune dermatoses) → think of: Refer to hospital for therapy!
- As prodromi (“precursors”; uncharacteristic signs) of the disease pruritus (itching) without visible skin change (pruritus sine materiae) + a urticaria (wheal formation) preceding the formation of blisters; subsequently, plump, subepidermal blisters appear on reddened or normal skin → think of: bullous pemphigoid (blistering skin disease).
