bullous diabeticorum

Etiology

• associated with diabetes mellitus
• cause unknown
• increased venous pressure & poor vascular supply may contribute

Epidemiology

uncommon

Pathology

• bullae originate at the dermal-epidermal junction
• split occurs within the lamina lucida
• immunofluorescence studies are negative
• microangiopathy with hyalinosis of blood vessel wall seen in one patient

Clinical manifestations

• blisters appear spontaneously without trauma on non erythematous skin
• generally occurs on feet or lower leg, but case reported of lesions restricted to the hands
• bullae generally appear overnight
• little pain or discomfort
• bullae may be huge
• bullae tense with rupture in ~ 1 week
• lesions heal spontaneously, without scarring but may take weeks to heal
• recurrence is common

Management

• self-limited
• cold wet compresses
• hygiene

More general terms

• skin disease (dermatologic disorder, dermatopathy, dermatosis)
• diabetes mellitus complication

Additional terms

• bullous pemphigoid; parapemphigus
• necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum [NLD]