What is a common symptom of bullous pemphigoid?

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune blistering disorder that primarily affects older adults. One of the hallmark symptoms of this condition is the presence of large, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. These blisters typically arise in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and groin. They are tense and do not rupture easily and can vary in size. The lesions often develop as a result of an immune response that targets the basement membrane of the skin.

While itching can accompany the condition, the defining feature is the painless, tense blisters that can develop on normal or erythematous skin. The fact that the blisters are painless is important to note, as it helps distinguish bullous pemphigoid from other blistering conditions that may present with pain or significant discomfort.

Other listed symptoms such as nail discoloration, excessive itching, and systemic symptoms like fever and malaise may occur in various dermatologic or systemic diseases, but they are not characteristic of bullous pemphigoid itself. Instead, the presence of painless blisters on the skin serves as the key indicator of this specific condition.