National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

The International Pemphigus Pemphigoid Foundation

The International Pemphigus Foundation was founded in 1994 as The National Pemphigus Vulgaris Foundation. The organization expanded its scope and became The National Pemphigus Foundation. In June of 2002, as growth continued, the name was changed to the International Pemphigus Foundation. In 2006, the name again was changed to The International Pemphigus Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF).

The most important objectives of the Foundation are to provide patients and doctors with information about pemphigus and pemphigoid, and provide patients with much needed support. Its mission is to increase awareness of pemphigus/pemphgoid, both among the general public and the medical community; to provide emotional support to patients living with these diseases, their families and friends; and to advocate research into causes, diagnoses, treatments and cure.

About the condition(s):

Pemphigus is a group of rare autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin and/or mucous membranes. The immune system produces antibodies that normally attack hostile viruses and bacteria in an effort to keep us healthy. In a person with pemphigus, the immune system mistakenly perceives the cells in skin and/or mucous membrane as foreign and attacks them. Antibodies that attack one's own cells are called autoantibodies. The part of the cells that are attacked in pemphigus are proteins called desmogleins. Desmogleins form the glue that attaches adjacent skin cells, keeping the skin intact. When auto-antibodies attack desmogleins, the cells become separated from each other. The skin virtually becomes unglued. This causes burn-like lesions or blisters that do not heal. In some cases, these blisters can cover a significant area of the skin.